Just like the first set, the second set turned out to be competitive, but the eleventh game became crucial considering Bopden's return game starting to shape up toward the end of the match. It took several point constructions for them to finally impose the damage considering how thin the margin was between both pairs, and here was how everything unfolded.
Pacing become one of the most crucial aspects when realizing how the 4 straight holds went (2-2) to start the second set. Interestingly, even though Bolelli/A. Vavassori held their service games to 3-2, Bolelli notably closed one of the net exchanged with an intuitive volley, taking into account Bopden's court coverage there. Two games later, even though Ebden's backhand return ace forced the deuce, the Italian unseeded pair still held their serves to 4-3.
Bopden started to inject more pace from this game on, which pressed Bolelli/A. Vavassori's service games, to some extent. Somehow, the latter managed to equalize Bopden's 2-point lead through A. Vavassori's backhand return ace and Ebden's +1 error trying to regain their depth, but Ebden's net exchange finish secured one of the most crucial holds to 4-4. Ebden then tried to find an angle off his slice around the post, but Bolelli replied with an intuitive volley to set a one-point lead before holding their serves to 5-4. Bopden followed suit with another all-around point construction to 5-5.
The next two games then determined the rest of the flow thanks to the second seeds' well-paced return game. They successfully pressed Bolelli/A. Vavassori's second serves until a double fault created the former's break point, which was eventually converted thanks to Ebden's well-timed poach post-baseline exchange between Bopanna and both Bolelli/A. Vavassori. Consequently, Bopden earned their chance to serve for the title, where despite surviving a double fault due to nerves on Ebden's half, they managed to pull it off to win their first Grand Slam title as a pair, taking the second set 7-5 as a cherry on top of their journey even though they are still paired for a year.
Watching the highlights and oh my god, bopanna is so underrated? The man plays like THAT at FORTY-TWO??? EXCUSE ME?? Every time he shoots a rocket forehand I’m the one who ascends.
And MIRZA OMG THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING I MEAN LOOK AT HER.
The stare. THE STARE. It is so sexy scary and I LOVE IT. YES. INTIMIDATE ME MA’AM.
God I am just so happy for my Indian doubles team and their international success because Sania is a LEGEND of the sport and when she leaves I’m going to cry but if she leaves with some Australian silverware I might cry a little less. And Bopanna still going strong at 42, making slam finals - nothing short of inspirational.
For a country that isn’t the best at international sports, a win for them is a win for us all and I can’t wait to call in sick again and watch the final because work is temporary but tennis is for life. (don’t quote me on that)