We can beat the best: Bopanna

Sep 12, 2010 |

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Sept. 11: Gunning for their first Grand Slam title, Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq fought their hearts out but had to be content with the runners-up trophy at the US Open as the Indo-Pak duo lost their men’s doubles final 6-7 (5/7), 6-7 (4/7) to Americans top seeds Mike and Bob Bryan on Saturday.

Said Bopanna after losing the match, “Well I think Aisam and I generally play great at tie-breaks, so far that’s normally been our strength, we have won a lot of matches on the ATP Circuit, but I guess today they had the upper hand they came up with good shots and important times and they had great reflexes that’s what made the difference.

“I think by far the most important thing is that we believe in ourselves and we believe in each other. We know that we can stay with the big teams at the big tournaments. Knowing we can compete and beat tough opponents at this level is a great confidence booster,” he added.

About a possible face-off at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, Aisam said, “It’s not going to be easy. I hope we don't get drawn against each other in the same pool. But we are professionals, and we’ll try our best for our country.”

They might have failed to win the title but Bopanna and Qureshi were successful in sending the message loud and clear that sport can help dissolve the boundaries and India and Pakistan can watch, play and earn glory together.

The Indo-Pak duo wore T-shirts with slogan — Stop War Start Tennis — to send the message of peace in the two countries.

For the Bryan brothers, it was their second Grand Slam title of the season and also a revenge victory as Bopanna-Qureshi had beaten them in the Washington quarterfinals. This title was their ninth men’s doubles crown.

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