Bopanna, Mirza win historic all-Indian mixed-doubles match in Wimbledon 2021

London, July 3: The experienced Indian pair of Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza beat the brand new combination of Ramkumar Ramanathan and Ankita Raina 6-2 7-6 (5) in the historic all-Indian mixed doubles first-round match at Wimbledon here. It was the first time in the open era that two Indian teams competed against each other at a Grand Slam tournament.

 

 

Having said that, this match was also special for Ramkumar who made Grand Slam debut after making 21 attempts to qualify for the singles main draw of a tennis major.

 

 

Though the first set ended quickly in favour of the veterans, Ramkumar and Raina presented a good fight in the second set, which even they led for a brief period with a break of serve. Bopanna was clearly the best player on the court with his powerful serve and solid ground strokes from the baseline as well as the ability to execute a superior net game.

 

 

On expected lines, Ramkumar served big while Raina gave her all after growing in confidence. Mirza’s serve is still not at its best and would improve as she plays more matches. Sania & Bopanna, will now face the British pair Aidan McHugh & Emily Webley-Smith in the next round.

 

Mirza has moved has also moved to women’s doubles second round with Bethanie Mattek-Sands while Raina and her American partner Lauren Davis lost in straight sets to the US pair of Asia Muhammad and Jessica Pegula on Thursday night.

 

 

The 14th seeds disposed off the challenge from the Raina-Davis pair 6-3 6-2 in 70 minutes. It should be noted that Bopanna and Divij Sharan are already out, having lost their men’s doubles opening round match.