NATIONAL/SPORTS: Rohan Bopanna became only the third Indian to win a men’s doubles Grand Slam title, taking the Australian Open crown with partner Matthew Ebden following a commanding win over Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori on Saturday.

In a high-quality game of tennis, second-seeded Bopanna and Ebden won 7-6(0) 7-5 in the final that lasted one hour and 39 minutes.

Only the iconic Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have won Major titles for India in men’s tennis, while trailblazer Sania Mirza did it in women’s tennis.

For Bopanna it is his second Grand Slam title, having won the French Open mixed doubles with Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski in 2017.

At 43, Bopanna also became the oldest Grand Slam champion in men’s tennis. He bettered the record of Jean-Julien Rojer, who, at the age of 40, had lifted the French Open men’s doubles trophy in 2022 with Marcelo Arevola.

Bopanna will be crowned the new number one on Monday when the ATP rankings will be updated. At 43, he will be the oldest player to be perched on top of the ranking pile. (with inputs from the agency)