Bopanna-Pavlasek prevail after hard-fought win
Paris, May 28 (UNI) India's Rohan Bopanna and Czech partner Adam Pavlasek edged past the American pair of Robert Cash and James Tracy in a gripping first-round men's doubles encounter on Court 5 here on Wednesday.
The Indo-Czech duo prevailed 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 in a match that saw momentum swing back and forth before Bopanna and Pavlasek stamped their authority in the deciding set to seal victory in just under two hours.
The contest began on even footing with both teams holding serve throughout the opening set. Bopanna and Pavlasek held their nerve in the tiebreak, clinching it 8-6 to go one set up. However, the American team of Cash and Tracy came roaring back, breaking serve at a crucial juncture in the second set to take it 7-5.
With the match poised at one set all, Bopanna and Pavlasek lifted their game, racing to a five-game lead in the third. Despite a spirited effort from the Americans, the Indo-Czech pair closed out the decider 6-1 with commanding returns and consistent net play.
Statistically, both teams recorded three aces each, but it was the winners who capitalised on break points, converting four of 14 opportunities compared to the Americans' two of three. Bopanna and Pavlasek won 71 per cent of their second serve points and captured 44 receiving points overall, which proved decisive in the end.
The victory sees Bopanna and Pavlasek advance to the second round, where they will aim to continue their strong run in the tournament.
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