India’s doubles challenge at the Australian Open 2026 received a timely boost as Yuki Bhambri, partnering Sweden’s Andre Goransson, produced a composed and authoritative performance to defeat the Australian pair of James Duckworth and Cruz Hewitt in the first round of the men’s doubles.
The 10th-seeded Indo-Swedish duo overcame home support and local expectations to register a straight-sets 6–3, 6–4 victory and book their place in the Round of 32 in Melbourne.
For Bhambri, the win carried added significance. It marked his first appearance in the men’s doubles Round of 32 at the Australian Open since 2014, underlining a long-awaited return to the later stages of a Grand Slam after years marked by injuries, transitions, and reinvention. Against a pair backed heavily by the Melbourne crowd, Bhambri and Goransson displayed calm under pressure, clarity in tactics, and a sharp understanding of doubles geometry to control the contest from start to finish.
The match had its own narrative weight. Cruz Hewitt, just 17, was playing his first Australian Open men’s doubles match on home soil, carrying the unmistakable surname of his father, Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt. Paired with the experienced James Duckworth, the Australian duo hoped to draw energy from the crowd and disrupt the rhythm of the higher-ranked opponents. Instead, Bhambri and Goransson ensured that sentiment never translated into momentum.
From the opening games, the difference in cohesion and execution was evident. Bhambri and Goransson served with authority, mixing pace and placement to deny the Australians any early looks on return. The stats reflected their dominance: the Indo-Swedish pair won an overwhelming percentage of points on first serve and backed it up with clean, decisive volleying at the net. Goransson’s serve, in particular, stood out, consistently pushing beyond the Australians’ comfort zone and setting up Bhambri to finish points with sharp interceptions.
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The first set hinged on a single break, which arrived midway through the set. Bhambri’s anticipation at the net and Goransson’s depth from the baseline forced errors from Duckworth, allowing the 10th seeds to seize control. Once ahead, they showed maturity in closing the set 6–3 without unnecessary risks, a hallmark of experienced doubles teams.
The second set followed a similar pattern but demanded greater composure. Duckworth and Hewitt lifted their intensity, feeding off crowd encouragement and looking to shorten points. Hewitt, in particular, showed flashes of promise with quick hands at the net and fearless movement, hinting at his potential. However, Bhambri and Goransson refused to be drawn into rushed exchanges. They absorbed pressure, held serve comfortably, and waited patiently for the opening that eventually came late in the set.
That decisive break proved enough. Serving out the match at 5–4, Bhambri and Goransson were clinical, closing the contest 6–4 and walking off the court with minimal fuss, as if aware that bigger challenges lay ahead.
For Indian tennis, the victory carries broader implications. Bhambri’s resurgence as a doubles specialist has been one of the quiet success stories of the last few seasons. Once considered one of India’s brightest singles prospects, his career trajectory changed after a series of injuries. The shift in focus toward doubles, however, has allowed him to extend his presence at the highest level, competing consistently against the world’s best pairs. His partnership with Goransson has steadily gained traction, blending Bhambri’s court awareness and touch with the Swede’s serving power and baseline solidity.
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The Australian Open has often been a difficult hunting ground for Indian doubles players in recent years, making this breakthrough into the Round of 32 all the more meaningful. It also underlines the growing importance of stable international pairings in modern doubles tennis, where chemistry and repetition often outweigh nationality.
For the Australians, the loss was disappointing but not without positives. Duckworth provided experience and structure, while Hewitt gained valuable exposure to Grand Slam intensity. At just 17, Cruz Hewitt’s composure on such a stage suggested that the Hewitt name may once again feature prominently in Australian tennis conversations in the years to come.
As Bhambri and Goransson move into the second round, expectations will naturally rise. The challenge level will increase, margins will tighten, and execution under pressure will be tested more severely. Yet, based on their opening performance, the Indo-Swedish duo appear well equipped to navigate those demands.
For Bhambri, the Melbourne journey has already delivered a milestone moment. For Indian tennis fans, it is a reminder that persistence, adaptation, and smart partnerships can still carve out meaningful success on the sport’s biggest stages.
