Indian men’s doubles pair of N Sriram Balaji and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan
continued their good run by stunning fifth seeds Ivan Dodig and Austin
Krajicek in the opening round of the Australian Open here on Saturday.
Balaji and Nedunchezhiyan, who came into the tournament as an alternate
team, took two hours 20 minutes to win the first round fixture 7-6 (6) 2-6
6-4 against Croatian Dodig and American Krajicek.In the mixed doubles event, veterans Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna too
advanced to the second round, with a straight set win.Despite having less
number of aces and winners, Balaji and Nedunchezhiyan had more service
points, and delivered when it mattered the most, converting both their
break points.
continued their good run by stunning fifth seeds Ivan Dodig and Austin
Krajicek in the opening round of the Australian Open here on Saturday.
Balaji and Nedunchezhiyan, who came into the tournament as an alternate
team, took two hours 20 minutes to win the first round fixture 7-6 (6) 2-6
6-4 against Croatian Dodig and American Krajicek.In the mixed doubles event, veterans Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna too
advanced to the second round, with a straight set win.Despite having less
number of aces and winners, Balaji and Nedunchezhiyan had more service
points, and delivered when it mattered the most, converting both their
break points.
The Indian team, featuring in its debut Grand Slam, won the tie breaker
after saving a set point.
However, they were broken in the sixth and eighth games as Dodig and
Krajicek forced a decider. A forehand winner in the seventh game gave
Balaji and Nedunchezhiyan the crucial break in the third set.
