NEW YORK, SEP 4 :  Rohan Bopanna and Aldila Sutjiadi’s fairytale run at the US Open 2024 came to an end as the Indo-Indonesian pair were edged out by the American duo of Taylor Townsend and Donald Young in a gripping semifinal clash here on Wednesday IST.

As the match commenced, the Americans hit the ground running. Townsend and Young, unseeded but brimming with confidence, raced through the first three games of the opening set, leaving the eighth-seeded Bopanna-Sutjiadi scrambling.

The early deficit, however, was met with a resilient response. The Indo-Indonesian duo managed to level the score at 3-3, showcasing their fighting spirit. But just as it seemed they had seized the momentum, Townsend and Young broke again, clinching the set 6-3.

The second set started with both pairs trading games in a tightly contested battle. It was during the fifth game that the tide turned decisively. Bopanna and Sutjiadi faltered, conceding a crucial break point that proved to be their undoing. Townsend and Young capitalized on this opportunity, securing the set 6-4 and sealing their place in the final.

Despite Bopanna’s impressive tally of four aces and the pair’s relatively low count of unforced errors, Townsend and Young’s performance was marked by a staggering 26 winners. Their aggressive play and precision ultimately proved too much for the Indo-Indonesian pair to overcome.

For Bopanna, the semifinal exit marks both a personal high and a poignant disappointment. At 44, the Indian tennis stalwart matched his best mixed doubles result at the US Open but fell short of achieving his ultimate goal. This year’s campaign was a testament to his enduring skill and competitive spirit, yet it also underscored the fine margins that define success at the sport’s highest level.

The end of Bopanna’s run signifies the close of Indian representation at the US Open 2024. The hopes of an entire nation now rest on the horizon, with Bopanna’s compatriots having faced their own setbacks. In men’s doubles, Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden were knocked out by Argentina’s Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez in the pre-quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, N Sriram Balaji and Yuki Bhambri also exited early in their respective doubles matches, and Sumit Nagal, the lone Indian in singles, was eliminated in the opening round.

As the final Grand Slam of the year wraps up, Bopanna’s journey will be remembered for its moments of brilliance and the relentless pursuit of greatness. Though this chapter concludes, the echoes of his efforts will resonate, reflecting the highs and lows of a remarkable career in tennis.(UNI)