Chennai Open: Jeevan-Bopanna, Raja-Sharan in semis

While Rohan Bopanna and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan battled hard to defeat James Cerretani and Philipp Oswald 6-2, 3-6, 10-12, Purav Raja and Divij Sharan had a straight-sets win against Juergen Melzer and Renzo Olivo.

Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan's (left) quality serving and Rohan Bopanna's good returns near the net took them to the semis.

Two Indian pairs -- Rohan Bopanna-Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Purav Raja-Divij Sharan -- progressed to the semifinals of the Chennai Open on Thursday.

Bopanna and Nedunchezhiyan defeated James Cerretani and Philipp Oswald 6-2, 3-6, 10-12.

> SCORECENTRE

They sealed the first set quite easily, thanks to Jeevan’s quality serving and Bopanna’s good returns near the net. It seemed the Indian duo would have an easy outing but the American and Austrian pairing fought back in the second set to take it 6-3.

It was the super tie breaker, which had the whole stadium on its toes with the match constantly swinging from one side to the other. Cerretani and Oswald took the lead at one point, and the Indian duo had to save three match points. Bopanna’s experience came to the fore as he showed his class by landing some brilliant backhands to seal the win at 10-12.

RAJA, SHARAN PROGRESS

Raja and Sharan continued their impressive showing in the tournament, defeating Juergen Melzer and Renzo Olivo 6-4, 7-5 in straight sets.

They took the first set easily, thanks to their strong serving and quick play near the net. Melzer and Olivio pair fired more aces, but Raja and Sharan maintained their calm.

In the second set, Raja and Sharan got a quick break, but Melzer and Olivo broke them back in the next game. The scores were tied at 5-5, when Raja and Sharan got the decisive break, and finally won the set 7-5.