Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden fall short in Monte-Carlo Masters round of 16

Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden's run at the 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters came to an end on Wednesday as they were defeated in the round of 16. The Indo-Australian duo fell short against the pairing of Mate Pavic of Croatia and Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador in a closely contested match.

The final scoreline of 3-6, 6-7(6-8) suggests a tight encounter, but Bopanna and Ebden struggled to find their rhythm early on. They were broken in their opening service game of the first set and never truly recovered, dropping the set 3-6.

The second set saw a resurgence from the Indo-Australian pair. They managed to break their opponents' serve and looked poised to force a decider set. However, Pavic and Arevalo displayed resilience, digging deep into the level where the set at 6-6 and ultimately clinching victory in a tense tie-break.

First set struggles cost the duo!

Bopanna and Ebden's struggles in the first set were evident. They were unable to find their serving accuracy, and their returns lacked the depth to put pressure on their opponents. Pavic and Arevalo capitalized on these weaknesses, taking control of the rallies and securing an early break. The second set was a different story. Bopanna and Ebden displayed greater resolve, breaking their opponents' serve and showcasing some strong net play. They had their chances to seal the set but were unable to convert crucial break points. The momentum shifted in the tie-break as Pavie and Arevalo raised their level. They played with more aggression, forcing errors from the Indo-Australian pair and eventually clinching victory.

Despite the defeat, Bopanna and Ebden can take heart from their performance throughout the tournament. They had navigated their way through earlier rounds with good form, showcasing their established doubles chemistry. While the loss marks the end of their campaign in Monte Carlo, Bopanna and Ebden can look forward to upcoming tournaments. Their experience and ability to challenge top teams will be valuable assets as they aim for further success on the doubles circuit.