Sania-Bopanna vs Stefani-Matos, Australian Open 2023 Final Live Score: Indian pair down a set and a break

Forces an error from Stefani. Then comes back-to-back aces from Bopanna. 40-up. And just when it looked they have wrapped up the game, Matos pulls off an incredible comeback in that point. He just relishes those long rallies. Sania then errs on the lob and its 40-30 now. Eventually holds

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna* 6-7, 2-4 Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Another moment of brilliance from Bopanna! Rocket of a backhand return to what was one of Stefani’s fastest serve. Sania eventually errs on her forehand return and the Brazilians are sailing away with the lead in the final.  

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna 6-7, 1-4 *Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

THAT WAS THE POINT OF THE MATCH! Superb rally! That summed up the Brazilian pair’s tactic in the match. Indians get broken

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna* 6-7, 1-3 Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Oh that forehand return from Sania! Makes a mockery of Matos’ serve. Bopanna correctly picks up that half volley to rush Matos into a forehand return. 30-15 up for the Indians. Matos then engages Bopanna into a long rally. Bopanna fails to find the gap and hits the return into the net. Bopanna error gives Brazilians another point. They maintain the lead

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna 6-7, 1-2 *Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Much better from the Indians! Bopanna holds serve to level the score in second set.

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna* 6-7, 1-1 Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Stefani holds to love. The Brazilians are oozing with confidence. 

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna 6-7, 0-1 *Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Another incredible 2nd serve from Stefani! Sania then errs on the lob. 6-2 for the Brazilian pair – 4 set points. And they convert it. Indian pair go down in the 1st set

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna 6-7 Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Finally a point for India! After losing three points on the trot, Bopanna pulls one back for the Indian pair. Sania then gains another on her 1st serve. 2-3 now for India. Brave 2nd serve from Stefani, down the T and Matos puts away the Bopanna return comfortably. 4-2 for Brazilian pair.

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna 6-6 Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Bopanna blasts a forehand return. Stefani falls. The return licks the baseline. 40-all. Sania errs on forehand and now it’s time for the tie-break

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna 6-6 *Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Sania holds serve for the third time now. That was a crucial hold. Great serve there after an error on the forehand lob. 

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna* 6-5 Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Mirza and Bopanna looking to keep the rallies short and it is working for them again. 30-up on Matos’ serve and the Brazilian is furious. Eventually they concede the lead as Matos holds serve to level the score. 

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna 5-5 *Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Matos creating pressure with baseline rallies and the Indian pair is erring on their tactic. Chance for Brazilians to break back now. And they do it! This was not what the Indians expected. 

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna* 5-4 Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Another missed half-volley from Stefani! And Bopanna then capitalises with a rocket of a backhand return. Just unplayable stuff! Indians go 40-15 up. They break again! 

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna 5-3 *Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Mirza with another delightful forehand return! Outclasses Matos in that forehand battle. 40-0 up. Holds to 15. 

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna* 4-3 Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Touch of class from Bopanna! He pushed Matos back with the powerful overhead hit and then just planted the return in front of the court after watching Matos’ position. 30-all. Mirza’s forehand return helps Indian pair level it to 40-all. But they barely missed it on the deciding point. That dipping return from Matos, Bopanna failed to volley it over the net. 

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna 3-3 *Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

He made a couple of errors at the start of the match with his forehand and overhead hits. But he is finally back. Holds serve to love to give the Indian pair a lead in the final. 

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna* 3-2 Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Little bit of luck for Mirza. The backhand return to Stefani’s serve hits the net cord, deceives Matos, and gives a point to the Indian. Break Point opportunity. And they level the score. 

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna 2-2 *Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

The Indian pair took time to settle in but they finally managed to hold serve. Couple of errors, some nervy shots despite the right moves. But they will take the positives

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna* 1-2 Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Another error from the Bopanna racquet and Indian pair are down in the opening set. 

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna 0-2 *Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

Bopanna kicks off the proceedings with his serve. A forehand error from the 42-year-old sees the score level at 30-all before Sania’s volley puts the Indian pair ahead 40-30. Brazilian level the score before a forehand from Bopanna sails over the baseline. The Indian pair gets broken at the start of the match. 

Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna* 0-1 Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos

The 2023 Australian Open mixed doubles final gets underway at the Rod Laver Arena. It’s the first match for the day which will also witness two women’s doubles semis and two semi-final matches in men’s singles. 

Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna make their way into the Rod Laver Arena. One final time for Sania in the grandest stage of all. 

Hailing from the football mad South American nation, the unseeded Brazilian duo Luisa Stefani (25) and Rafael Matos (27) will be eyeing their maiden major in their maiden Grand Slam final of their career.

Men’s Doubles: 2010 US Open final

Mixed Doubles: 2018 and 2023 Australian Open final, 2017 French Open

After two straight wins in the first two rounds, the Indian pair received a walkover in the quarters. Their toughest test came in the semis where they faced third seeds Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupsk. Sania and Bopanna overcame the hurdle with a 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 10-6 win in an hour and 52 minutes to reach the final.

“It’s my last Slam and it’s so special to play with Rohan. He was my first mixed doubles partner when I was 14 and today I’m 36 and he is 42 and we are still playing, we have a solid relationship,” Sania said after their win in the semis.

Women’s Doubles: 2015 Wimbledon and US Open, 2016 Australian Open

Mixed Doubles: 2009 Australian Open, 2012 French Open, 2014 US Open

2022 was supposed to be Sania’s final season on tour having announced retirement earlier last year. This Australian Open was never part of her schedule. But an injury in August postponed her retirement plans to February 2023, hence making 2023 Australian Open her final Grand Slam appearance. Entering the major, where she had won her first Grand Slam title back in 2009 in the mixed doubles category, as an unseeded pair alongside Rohan Bopanna, Sania has battled her way through to give herself a chance of completing a fairytale run in Melbourne.

Sania Mirza is eyeing her seventh major title as the veteran Indian tennis player has reached the Australian Open mixed doubles final with compatriot Rohan Bopanna in Melbourne. The unseeded Indian pair had upstaged Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupski 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 10-6 in an epic semi-final match that lasted for one hour and 52 minutes.