Rohan Bopanna, India’s doubles stalwart, continues to shine at the ATP 500 Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo. Partnered with local wildcard Takeru Yuzuki, the 45-year-old has guided their unlikely pairing to the semifinals, showcasing his enduring skill and synergy with the young Japanese talent.
The wildcard duo began their campaign in the Round of 16, defeating singles stars Casper Ruud of Norway and Jordan Thompson of Australia in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. This victory marked Yuzuki’s first ATP Tour-level win, a significant milestone for the 27-year-old, who stands 6’5” and plays left-handed. Yuzuki previously claimed three Challenger titles last season, signaling his potential in doubles.
In the quarterfinals, Bopanna and Yuzuki faced a stern test against the third-seeded Argentinian pair of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni. The match went to two tiebreakers, with the wildcards prevailing 7-6(5), 7-6(4) at Ariake Coliseum.
Their ability to stay composed under pressure, leveraging Bopanna’s powerful serve and Yuzuki’s aggressive returns, secured their place in the semifinals.
The duo now awaits the winners of the quarterfinal match between top seeds Christian Harrison and Evan King of the USA and fellow Japanese wildcards Kaito Uesugi and Seita Watanabe, scheduled for September 27. Bopanna, who made history as the oldest Grand Slam doubles champion at the 2024 Australian Open, continues to compete selectively in 2025, making this Tokyo run a highlight of his season. His partnership with Yuzuki, formed specifically for this home-soil event, underscores his ability to elevate emerging players.
Indian tennis fans are eagerly watching as Bopanna and Yuzuki aim for a spot in the final.
Stay tuned to Indian Tennis Daily for live updates from Tokyo.
P.S : This article was written with the help of Grok AI