Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna lost the mixed doubles final to Brazilian duo Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos on January, 27. The Indian mixed doubles couple lost the match at Rod Laver Arena 6-7 (2-6), 2-6. The stage was perfectly set for a fairy-tale end to Sania Mirza’s Grand Slams journey. But that didn’t arrive in the end, despite the courageous effort of the 36-year-old. She ended her illustrious career with six doubles titles. The Indian duo did not get off to a good start after conceding an early break of serve. However, they made up for it by winning one and going 2-2 in the first set, before clinching a 3-2 after that. After falling 2-0, Bopanna and Sania were able to regain their footing in the competition. (Read Also: Sania and Rohan Bopanna enter into Australian Open semi-finals)
The Brazilians didn’t give up and soon made it 3-3 before the Indian duo quickly picked up steam again. with a 4:3 lead. And when it came down to it, Bopanna-Mirza hit her second break of serve to extend the lead to, 5-3. However, the Brazilians didn’t want to give up so easily.
They earned a break and somehow stayed alive in the set and then went up to 5-5. Sania Mirza held for the third time in the set to put India 6-5 ahead and it was Bopanna’s serve that caused concern. Stefanie, yet to serve in 11 games, hit an ace to give Brazil two break chances.
But Rohan Bopanna kept both points and aided India to stay alive. But the Brazilians held to lead the first set to a tiebreak. India trailed 3-0 before Bopanna’s forehand gave India their first points. Still, Brazil’s team took away the first set and won it 7-6 (6-2). The second set was a one-sided error as Brazil took a 3-1 break lead after service for your name.
Soon the lead was 4-1 and the Indian duo found themselves in a now-or-never situation. But Matos and Stefanie closed the set and completed the match.
