So Near, Yet So Far: Yuki Bhambri’s Dream Run Ends in US Open Men’s Doubles Semi-Final
Yuki Bhambri’s dream of reaching his maiden Grand Slam final came agonizingly close on Friday evening at Flushing Meadows. Teaming up with New Zealand’s Michael Venus, the Indo-Kiwi pair fell just short against the British sixth seeds, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, in a gripping three-set semi-final at the US Open men’s doubles. The final scoreline 7-6(2), 6-7(5), 4-6 only partly tells the story of a match that swung wildly and left Bhambri reflecting on missed chances and fine margins.
Bhambri and Venus began with great intent, taking the opening set 7-6(2) after a near-flawless display in the tiebreak. Their aggressive returns and coordinated net play unsettled the experienced British duo, who came into the match boasting a combined nine Grand Slam titles between them Salisbury with six and Skupski with three.
The momentum seemed firmly with the Indo-Kiwi pair in the second set. They raced to a 3-1 lead and even held a break point on Skupski’s second serve that would have given them a commanding double-break cushion. But the chance slipped away. Salisbury and Skupski, renowned for their resilience, seized the opening and slowly turned the tide.
The Turning Point
From 1-3 down in the second set, Salisbury and Skupski lifted their game. Their serving grew sharper, their volleys more precise, and they began to dictate play in the key moments. Bhambri and Venus, on the other hand, looked tentative on crucial points. The set eventually went to a tiebreak, where the Brits held their nerve better, edging it 7-5 to level the match. Adding to Bhambri’s woes, he took a medical timeout at the end of the second set, receiving treatment for what appeared to be a left heel issue. Though he fought valiantly in the decider, the physical discomfort may have limited his movement in the tight exchanges.
The deciding set saw both pairs holding serve comfortably until the pressure mounted at 4-5 on the Indo-Kiwi serve. Skupski and Salisbury pounced at the first real opportunity, breaking through to seal the victory after two hours and 45 minutes of enthralling tennis. For Bhambri and Venus, it was the narrowest of defeats one that could have easily gone the other way had they converted their chances earlier. For the British duo, the comeback underlined their championship pedigree and experience on the sport’s biggest stages.
Bhambri’s Breakthrough Campaign
Despite the heartbreak, this run marks a milestone in Yuki Bhambri’s career. This was his maiden Grand Slam semi-final appearance, an achievement that cements his status as India’s No. 1 doubles player at present. Bhambri’s partnership with Venus has blossomed throughout the season, and their performance in New York will go down as one of the finest campaigns by an Indian player in recent years. The pair will take home prize money of $250,000 (approximately ₹2.20 crore), a fitting reward for their consistency and grit.
At 33, Yuki Bhambri has seen his career shaped by injuries and setbacks, but this US Open run shows he still has the game to challenge at the highest level in doubles. The ability to compete with and nearly topple a decorated pair like Salisbury and Skupski will give him confidence heading into the closing stretch of the season. For Indian tennis, Bhambri’s showing is a reminder that the doubles discipline continues to provide opportunities for breakthrough performances on the Grand Slam stage.
His run in New York may not have ended in a final, but it has rekindled hopes of seeing an Indian lift a major trophy again in the near future.
In the end, it was a case of “so near, yet so far.” Yuki Bhambri and Michael Venus came within a whisker of a place in the US Open final, only to be denied by the narrowest of margins and the steely resolve of two Grand Slam veterans. But for Bhambri, this semi-final finish is more than just a heartbreak it is a breakthrough. One that will inspire, motivate, and perhaps, serve as the foundation for an even bigger stage next time.
