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Bopanna up to career-best No 5 after stupendous Wimbledon run

July 08, 2013 17:11 IST

Rohan Bopanna’s stupendous run at Wimbledon earned him a career-best No 5 ranking in the ATP doubles chart and made him the top-ranked Indian in the game.

Bopanna and French partner Edouard Roger-Vasselin reached the semi-finals at the grass-court Grand Slam, losing to eventual winners Mike and Bob Bryan.

"It is an extremely proud moment for my team and myself, as this ranking is a true testament of the many years of hard work, focus and determination.

Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France and Rohan Bopanna“Being for the first time the highest-ranked Indian makes this all that more special and is an added motivation to perform better with every passing game," Bopanna said.

The Indian, though, said it is difficult to say whether he would like to continue his association with Roger-Vasselin.

"It is too early to speculate though Eduardo and I are in conversation on continuing this partnership given the great run we have had in the two weeks at Wimbledon," he said.

Following Bopanna at No 6 is regular partner for the 2013 season Mahesh Bhupathi, who also lost in the quarter-finals in London, paring with Julian Knowle of Austria.

Leander Paes (9) is also back in the top-10, courtesy a semi-final appearance with Czech partner Radek Stepanek.

Left-hander Divij Sharan, who made his Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon via qualifying, also achieved a career-best ranking of 89 after gaining three places.

He is the fourth Indian in the top-100. His partner, Purav Raja, also achieved a career-best ranking of 115.

In singles, Somdev Devvarman continues to be the country's No 1 player at 131, followed by Saketh Myneni (131).

In the women's doubles, Sania Mirza’s ranking dropped four rungs, to No 19.

Image: Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France and Rohan Bopanna

Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images 

 

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