The seventh-seeded pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna failed to capitalise on a 3-0 lead in the second set and went down 6-3, 6-4 to Richard Gasquet and Julien Benneteau of France in the doubles pre-quarterfinals at the AELTC on Tuesday.
The Indians, who had trained and competed through the season in preparation for the Olympics, looked to have found their way back into the match, breaking Gasquet in the second game of the second set, with Bopanna coming up with a sharp backhand volley on the second breakpoint.
However, it was Bopanna himself who undid the good work — he double-faulted on game-point in the next game, and hurried a volley into the net to concede a breakpoint.
It was here Gasquet showed his class with a backhand down-the-line return winner to break serve.
Gasquet hit a similar shot in the ninth game to force two breakpoints on Bopanna’s serve and Bhupathi mistimed a volley into the net to surrender a big advantage to the French.
Gasquet then served out the match that spanned an hour and 17 minutes, as Benneteau came up with a drop volley to bring the curtains down on the challenge of the Indian pair that had fought the National federation to get entry.
After having played a high quality match in beating Max Mirnyi and Alexander Bury — the Indian duo did not drop serve in the whole match in the first round — it was a shock for the Indian pair.
Classy game
But it was the classy game of Gasquet, admired even by Roger Federer, and the gutsy play of a charged-up Benneteau that clinched it for the French.
It was perhaps the inexperience of Bopanna, competing in his maiden Olympics, or the odd mistake by Bhupathi himself who was playing in his fifth, that decided the course of the match.
But there was no doubt that the French played the big points better, in an entertaining contest.
The other Indian pair of Leander Paes and Vishnu Vardhan will play their pre-quarterfinal match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and on Wednesday.
Paes made his Olympic debut at the Barcelona Games in 1992, and has featured in every edition since, winning the singles bronze at Atlanta ’96. Incidentally, Vishnu Vardhan is his 94th partner at Tour-level tennis.
Keywords: 2012 London Olympics, India in Olympics, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, tennis
Selfish People got the result which they truly deserved. Mahesh Bhupati,
earlier you lost all the respect that people had for you when you chose
yourself ahead of country and now you showed that you not even worth
people's thoughts regarding you as you are nothing more than a Loser. I
hope paes-sania wins the medal much to dismay of your Ego.
well deserved!!its high time they got a reality check.
bunch of losers with no patriotism at all!!
Mostly biased opinion from the different comments here. Mahesh duo were beaten
by stronger opponents. It was a big accomplishment in the first round defeating
Max Mirnyi and partner. Goes to show that if all the world's leading singles players
turned to doubles even the Brians would have no chance leave alone Paes-
Bhupathi who would not have had a single medal in any event. Mahesh and
Bopanna will only take this experience and get stronger from here. Mahesh did the
positive thing for the country's future as opposed to rusty brains and backward
thinkers including the likes of AITA and BCCA. Mahesh forcing the issue has
resulted in two young legs for the next olympics each training under a veteran.
Pae's idea is good since he believes he will play in the 2016 olympics by virtue of
seniority.
wow... thanks GOD Bhupathi & Bopanna had lost the game... i hope they will learnt a lesson of their lives...
Mahesh has cheated India. Personal ego should never have been allowed by Federation.
Bhupathi and Bopanna should be banned in India for harming nation
Some people seem to be rejoicing the defeat of the Indian team -- before preaching others to put "nation first" the clergymen should practice that first.
Mahesh Ego has costed india in two medals
1.If he played with Leander then definite medal in mens doubles
2.If leander & Mahesh played in Mens doubles , then Aita might decide
Bhupathi & Sania in mixed doubles there also possible of medal winning
It is first Ego of Mahesh & nonsense directive of Mr.makkan &
Mr.S.M.Krishna
will hope leander will do best for India , this suppose to be lessons
for any sportsman who belives he is higher than sports & Country
I think they have won with the fight against Paes, but they didn't won at Olympics. Real player should not have ego with theeir partners. They should fight for the country..... Finally India have lost the medal. Commity and also players should have think about this...
Don't understand the vitriol against Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna.
They lost to Gasquet and Benneteau, not to some unknown players. Also,
they have every right to choose their partners in an individual sport,
Tennis is not Football.
No matter who represents us at the Olympics, we should be proud and supportive of them. It is sad that one of our doubles teams lost. It is further sad to note that some of us wished they lost so that it would teach them a lesson in ego management. Had they won wouldn't we be proud of them. Hope Paes and Vishnu go all the way!
Hats off Mahesh and Bops. Took country for a ride with your ego and politics and deprived the country of a true medal hope. Am sure Mahesh you will find some thing sinister in this too - be it blame it on the schedule or weather or wrong side of a draw or had Leander played his second round first country would have seen it differently etc. Sad but feel happy for this result.
It was a shame, all the fuss for nothing. It wasn't anything unexpected.Congrats to those who won. Hope we make it next time.
Serves them right....
Mahesh does not play for his country.Some stupid ego and his politics.
Mahesh, now tell something!You are now a BIG ZERO.
Your politics cost India.
The other Indian pair of Leander Paes and Vishnu Vardhan will play their
pre-quarterfinal match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and on Wednesday. -
Seem to have left out Michael Llodra here..
Much ado about nothing.
olympics or any other National Event is not Bhupathies cup of tea.
First these people left there EGO and should play for country, then only they can achieve anything. Its really shame for Tennis Academy.
Welcome home Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna you guys played more than enough...
Super flop shows from the Prima Dona's of Indian Tennis. AITA should be disbanded,
as they can not find and groom any better talents then the middle aged Bhupati and
Paes. Do not hold your breaths for Sania-Paes either. I hope that at least they have
started to talk to each other!!!!
I am glad that Bhupathi-Bopanna have lost. I am not ashamed to celebrate this
defeat. That was not India playing. They were two individuals who decided to play
together and betrayed the whole country. Cunning politicians. Not sportsmen.
There is fairness and justice in this world after all (the unnecessary
fuss!).
Arrogance, rightly rewarded.
We complain and fail and then complain more and fail and complain more and more and ultimately go to abyss..
We Indians complain a lot.. this is not good, that is not good...that's really bad..
Ha with all the hype before the tournament !! This is sad ,..!! India should look past personal preference to win any king of thing in sport forget Olympic. Sport and country should come before the big shot individuals.
These two jokers must know Tennis is not played through their mouths. For this type of performance, they threw temper tantrums and refused to pair with Paes. Shame on these losers.
could not have been more appropriate result for Mahesh Bhupati.....
Bhupathi held this country for ransom over his personal differences. He truely got the result
that he deserves. He should not be allowed to play for India again.
Its so heartening to see Bhupathi lose in the Olympics. The so called
7th seeds were shown what they are worth and Bhupathi should realize
where he stands without Leander Paes. Mahesh Bhupathi- You should have
let go your ego and played for the NATION. This was the Olympics and not
your academy tournament.
Hope Paes and Vishnu make it. Both Bhupathi and Bopanna must know that PAES is the no 1 in the doubles and their ego/stupidity is eventually going to cost India a medal.
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