ATP Finals: Bopanna-Ebden lose to Bolelli-Vavassori in campaign opener

Indo-Australian duo off to poor start in men's doubles competition, face must-win situation in next match

- AGENCIES

India's Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden started the men's doubles competition in the ATP Finals with a straight sets defeat to Italian pair Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in a group stage match here.

Bopanna and Ebden pair, this year's Australian Open winner, went down to the Italian combine, who were making their debut in the season finale, and rode on the vociferous support of the home crowd to register a sensational opening win, 6-2, 6-3 in 57 minutes at the Inalpi Arena here.

Bolelli and Vavassori converted three of the eight break points they won, while Bopanna-Ebden had none. They were 85 percent on their first serve, while their rivals could manage only 69 percent.

Bopanna and Ebden also served two double faults, compared to none by the Italian pair.