Bopanna split from doubles partner Aisam-ul Haq Qureshi of Pakistan so he could pursue his Olympic dream, and said he was happy with how the new pairing was working out after a win over Australia's Matthew Ebden and Chris Guccione.
"We had a good start for the season in Chennai, reaching the semi-finals. That was a good three matches before coming here for our first grand slam," Bopanna said.
"Obviously winning our first match today, it was a close one, a tight one but coming through these hard matches always helps us in longer matches and building our partnership stronger."
When asked about the Olympics, he said the focus remained on the Australian Open and the other grand slams before London 2012.
"Our focus is to do well at this slam and then take it further, all the way towards the Olympics," he said after the 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 win.
The pair are looking to bring a smile to Indian sports fans with their cricket team trailing 3-0 in the ongoing Test series against Australia but Bopanna said he was confident the cricketers could salvage some pride.
"You win some, you lose some. It's always hard playing Australia here at home and they've been lethal in the bowling. Hopefully they can still stay strong and hopefully win that last Test."
Dubbed the "Indo-Pak express", Bopanna and Qureshi, also playing in Melbourne, actively promoted India-Pakistan rapprochement and even offered to play tennis over the border. They announced their split in November.
Qureshi also won 6-3, 7-6 (13/11) alongside new partner Jean-Julien Rojer of Dutch Antilles.
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The smile on Indian face is brought by our great Leander Paes who has won this year's Austrailan Open doubles event and his astonishing 13th Grand Slam title, also the first Indian to win all the four major grand slams. Paes completed the career grand slam in men's doubles after winning the Australian Open in 2012. Having won seven doubles and six mixed doubles Grand Slam titles and finishing as runner up in numerous other Grand Slam finals, he is considered to be one of the greatest and most respected contemporary doubles and mixed doubles players in the world. A great son of India and a great ambassador for Indian sports the Leander Paes you have made us proud....