On a classic grass court evening at the All England Club, the Indo-Colombian pair of Rithvik Bollipalli and Nicolás Barrientos scripted a dramatic victory to mark a memorable Grand Slam debut win at Wimbledon for the Indian.
The duo saved four match points to edge past Alexandre Müller and David Goffin 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(13-11) in a thrilling first-round clash at Wimbledon 2025.
For Bollipalli, this was not just a win it was a statement. The 23-year-old held his nerve in one of the most high-pressure situations imaginable. Partnering with the experienced Barrientos from Colombia, the pair showed immense grit and composure to survive a rollercoaster deciding set tiebreak, eventually converting their fourth match point to seal a famous win.
A Match of Narrow Margins
The contest began with Bollipalli and Barrientos on the back foot, as Muller and Goffin took the opening set 6-4 with cleaner serving and better net play. But the Indo-Colombian pair bounced back in the second, breaking Goffin’s serve midway through to level the match.
In the deciding set, both pairs held firm, with rallies becoming tighter and tension mounting. At 6-6, the match headed into a super tiebreak, where the drama peaked. Goffin and Muller had three consecutive match points at 9-6 but failed to convert any. Bollipalli and Barrientos clawed back with gutsy returns and timely poaches, eventually turning the tide to 12-11 in their favor before sealing it 13-11 on their fourth opportunity.
For Indian fans, the win was especially sweet Rithvik Bollipalli became only the second Indian after Yuki Bhambri to win a men’s doubles match at Wimbledon this year.
A Disappointing Exit for Bopanna-Gillé
In contrast, it was a disheartening outing for India’s veteran doubles star Rohan Bopanna, who partnered with Belgium’s Sander Gillé. The pair were up against the No. 3 seeds Germany’s Tim Pütz and Kevin Krawietz and were outplayed in a straight-set defeat, 3-6, 4-6.
Bopanna, playing in what could be his final Wimbledon, never found rhythm with Gillé. The German pair, known for their chemistry and tactical awareness, dominated the key moments, particularly with their returns and second-serve pressure.
The loss comes as a blow for Indian hopes in men’s doubles, given Bopanna’s pedigree and ranking. Having reached the Australian Open final in 2024 and often playing deep into Slams, the early exit at Wimbledon brings his grass-court campaign to a premature end.
Bhambri-Galloway Cruise Through
Meanwhile, Yuki Bhambri, another prominent name in Indian doubles, paired with American Robert Galloway to deliver a solid opening-round win. The Indo-American pair defeated France’s Manuel Guinard and Monaco’s Romain Arneodo 7-6(8), 6-4 in a straight-set encounter.
Bhambri, now a regular on the ATP doubles circuit, showed poise during crucial points, especially in the first-set tiebreak where they saved a set point. The second set was more straightforward, with the pair securing a vital break midway and holding comfortably to serve out the match.
The duo, seeded just outside the top 16, now head into the second round with a realistic chance to progress further. With Galloway’s booming serve and Bhambri’s touch at the net, they could prove to be a tricky team on the faster grass surface.
Indian Doubles Campaign: Promise, Setbacks, and Eyes on Balaji
As it stands, two Indian players Rithvik Bollipalli and Yuki Bhambri are through to the second round, while Rohan Bopanna bows out early in what was a tough draw.
All eyes now turn to N. Sriram Balaji, who is set to take the court tomorrow. Balaji has been in solid form in Challenger events and is expected to pair with a regular tour partner. A second-round appearance would mark his best performance at Wimbledon.
With the Olympics in Paris just around the corner, these Wimbledon results carry added significance. Bopanna’s early exit will raise questions about India’s men’s doubles combinations going into Paris 2024, while the rise of new faces like Bollipalli adds to the growing depth in Indian men’s doubles.
A Night to Remember for Bollipalli
Ultimately, the moment belongs to Rithvik Bollipalli, whose fearless play and mental resilience stole the show. Coming into Wimbledon as a relatively unknown name outside India’s tennis circles, the Hyderabad-based player now has his first Grand Slam win and it came in front of a Centre Court crowd that slowly got behind him as the match reached its pulsating climax.
Saving four match points against a former World No. 7 (Goffin) and an established Frenchman (Muller) is no small feat. It was a reminder of tennis’s unforgiving nature and of its unmatched beauty when an underdog digs deep and delivers magic.
With Bhambri already through, and Balaji yet to play, Indian doubles fans have reason to stay optimistic. But for now, it’s Rithvik Bollipalli the 23-year-old debutant who has lit up Wimbledon with one of the most memorable comebacks of the opening week.
