2024 Shanghai Masters: Rohan Bopanna and Ivan Dodig cruise into Round of 16 with a dominant win
Rohan Bopanna and his Croatian partner, Ivan Dodig, delivered an impressive performance to advance to the second round of the ATP Shanghai Masters 2024. The fifth-seeded Indo-Croatian pair outplayed their Spanish opponents, Pablo Carreno Busta and Pedro Martinez, in a straight-set victory on Friday (October 4).
The match, which lasted 63 minutes, saw Bopanna and Dodig assert their dominance right from the start, securing a 6-4, 6-3 win to move into the Round of 16.
This victory marks an important milestone for the pair as it was their first win since forming their partnership. They demonstrated their top form, using their experience and skills to overcome the Spanish duo convincingly.
Rohan Bopanna and Dodig’s powerful service game played a crucial role in their victory. The pair fired five aces while their opponents managed none, reflecting their control over the match. Bopanna and Dodig also saved four break points on their serve and were only broken once throughout the match.
Meanwhile, the Indo-Croatian pair successfully converted three out of the eight break points they earned, keeping the pressure on Martinez and Carreno Busta throughout the contest.
Their first-serve accuracy was also impressive, with Bopanna and Dodig landing 70% of their first serves, compared to 66% by their opponents. They capitalized on these opportunities, winning 76% of points on their first serve, while the Spaniards could only manage 61%. In total, Bopanna and Dodig won 38 service points compared to their opponents' 27, further showcasing their serving prowess.
From the outset, Bopanna and Dodig controlled the tempo of the match. They took the lead early in the first set and never let their opponents settle into any rhythm. After securing the first set 6-4, they maintained their momentum in the second set. The Spaniards, despite brief moments of resistance, were constantly playing catch-up as Bopanna and Dodig’s aggressive play proved too much. The second set ended 6-3, giving the Indo-Croatian pair a straight-set win.
With 61 points won in total compared to 43 by their opponents, the numbers reflected Rohan Bopanna and Ivan Dodig’s superior performance. The pair also won 23 receiving points.
Rohan Bopanna advances while Sumit, Ramanathan crash out
Rohan Bopanna and Dodig’s next challenge will be the Round of 16 on October 9. As they continue their campaign at the Shanghai Masters, they will look to build on this strong start. The Shanghai Masters is one of the most prestigious events on the ATP circuit, being one of nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.
India’s singles challenge, however, came to an early end, with both Sumit Nagal and Ramkumar Ramanathan exiting in the first round. Ramanathan, who had qualified for the main draw, and Nagal, who earned a direct entry, were unable to advance further in the tournament.