Bopanna-Mergea enter semifinal of World Tour Finals

India’s Rohan Bopanna and his doubles partner Florin Mergea booked their place in the World Tour Finals last four on Tuesday with a straight sets win at London’s O2 Arena.

The eighth-ranked side beat home favourite Jamie Murray of Great Britain and Australia’s John Peers 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), the fourth-ranked pairing, to secure a semi-final spot.

Bopanna and his Romanian partner beat US identical twins Bob and Mike Bryan, the reigning champions, in their opening group game Sunday.

They have a third and final group game remaining against Italian partnership Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini before the semis.

“It’s great to actually play with these guys and see the best guys playing in one of the best arenas, one of the best courts in the world,” said Peers.

“It’s actually a fantastic experience.”

Meanwhile in another doubles match, Bob and Mike Bryan remain in contention for year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Doubles Team Rankings after they defeated Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-2 on Tuesday for their first win at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

The American, who had lost their first group match against Rohan Bopanna and Florin Mergea on Sunday, recorded their 44th match win of the year in 55 minutes.

With the victory, the Bryans draw level Daniel Nestor’s record of 34 match wins at the season finale.