US Open 2020: Key takeaways from India’s performance

India's challenge at US Open 2020 came to an end after the top-ranked men's doubles player Rohan Bopanna and his Canadian partner Denis Shapovalov suffered a defeat in the quarter-finals of the men's doubles event on Monday.

Rohan Bopanna, and his Canadian partner Denis Shapovalov were ousted in the quarter-finals of men's doubles competition at US Open 2020 after a hard-fought battle on Monday. The Indo-Canadian pair suffered a 5-7, 5-7 defeat to Jean-Julien Rojer of the Netherlands and Horia Tecau of Romania.

Rohan Bopanna, who was bidding to reach his 2nd final at the Flushing Meadows, had forged a fine partnership with Denis Shapovalov at the US Open. The pair stunned 6th seed Kevin Kraweitz and Andreas Miles in the 2nd round to reach the last 8.

Bopanna and Shapovalov did well to not let their opponents run away with momentum despite struggling to get first serves in. However, it was the top-ranked Indian who was broken in both the sets as Rojer and Tecau sealed the crucial moments in the match.

Bopanna and Shapovalov have been pairing up for along time and this was the Indian's first quarter-final appearance since 2018. However, Shapovalov, seeded 12th in men's singles, will play Pablo Carreno-Busta in the quarter-final on Wednesday. It is maybe the Canadian's dual role in singles and doubles that cost Bopanna the match. He needs a dedicated doubles partner to go deep in the tournament.

Earlier in the competition, India's top-ranked men's singles player, Sumit Nagal exit the tournament in the 2nd round after a straight-set defeat to Dominic Thiem. The 23-year-old impressed against the 2nd seed but was not able to consistently trouble the 2nd-seeded Austrian who seems to be the favourite to win the tournament after Novak Djokovic's default.

Thank you 2020 US Open. Lots to learn. Going to keep working hard!

Thanks for all the support everyone 💪#USOpen pic.twitter.com/3AKOBrMlJE

— Sumit Nagal (@nagalsumit) September 3, 2020

Nagal had become the 1st Indian men's singles player since Somdev Devvarman in 2013 to win a main draw match at a Grand Slam. Nagal, who has a better record in clay court, will be now waiting for the French Open Next is French open, which is scheduled next. His momentum will definitely a thing to watch at Roland Garros.

Divij Sharan exited the men's doubles competition as early as the 1st round along with his Serbian partner Nicola Cacic as the duo was ousted by 8th seeds Nikola Metkic and Wesley Koolhof.

Meanwhile, Prajnesh Gunneswaran is also back in ATP circuit with a win yesterday in the qualification match at Generali Open. With French open having Qualifying rounds, Prajnesh will hope to get in.

Also read: US Open 2020: Bopanna and Shapovalov reach quarterfinals of men’s doubles event