They come, they play and they win. Tennis ace Sania Mirza did not disappoint us and today with partner Rohan Bopanna, together they have smashed Great Britain's Heather Watson and Andy Murray 6-4, 6-4 to breeze into the semi-finals of the mixed doubles at the Rio Olympic Games on Friday. Their partnership complemented each other. Bopanna's serves in the last few games were unbeatable. The Indian pair will play their semi-final on Saturday.
Also read: Did not achieve the “desired results”, says Martina Hingis about ending partnership with Sania Mirza
The fourth seeded Indian pair won the dominated match within just 67 minutes. Sania and Bopanna were solid since the beginning however, Bopanna started with a double fault and Sania made consecutive volley errors. But within a blink, the Indians turned around and came back as a backhand winner on the first break point. The British players were nervous half way through and struggled to serve properly. The Indians seized the advantage. Sania came out serving solid in the next set as India led 5-3. Bopanna served out the first set without fuss, hitting two aces. Their opponents played better as a team in the second but the Indians were the best and the task was completed. India’s leading stayed with the Indians and Bopanna sealed the issue on the third match point with an overhead smash. India won 6-4, 6-4.
Read: I don’t feel extra pressure, just feel responsible, says Sania Mirza about the quest for an Olympic medal
For the following matches, India needs one more victory to ensure a silver medal. Winning the semifinals would give Sania and Bopanna a chance to fight for the bronze. India has only one tennis medal in its entire Olympics history that came through Leander Paes, who won a singles bronze at 1996 Atlanta Games.
Feature Image Credit: indianexpress.com
Read more from our Rio series here
Read More Stories By Ria Das
Join Us on https://www.facebook.com/SheThePeoplePage
Follow Us on https://twitter.com/SheThePeopleTV
Follow Us/shethepeople/media/post_banners/01R0KgaUfoYkkrkh27qt.jpg)
/shethepeople/media/agency_attachments/iUYfaBbcMozaYLoGnoov.png)
