It was a memorable day for Indian tennis at Roland-Garros as two of India’s top doubles players — Rohan Bopanna and Yuki Bhambri — delivered thrilling comeback victories to storm into the third round of the French Open 2025.
While Bopanna further cemented his status as a Grand Slam doubles mainstay, Bhambri reached a career milestone on the Parisian clay. Meanwhile, N. Sriram Balaji, India’s third representative in men’s doubles, is set for a massive second-round clash later today.
Bopanna & Pavlasek Turn Back Time with a Classic Fightback
Rohan Bopanna, partnering Czech player Adam Pavlasek, pulled off a sensational comeback in the Round of 32, taking down the 13th-seeded French duo of Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul in a dramatic three-set encounter.
After losing the opening set in a tiebreak and trailing 1-3 in the second set, the Indo-Czech pair looked on the brink of defeat. But Bopanna, with over two decades of experience on the tour, sparked a stunning turnaround. The pair held their nerves in the second-set tiebreak to level the match, and then dominated the third to complete a 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 6-2 victory.
This is Bopanna’s 10th career Round 3 appearance at Roland-Garros — a remarkable feat for the 44-year-old, who continues to be a consistent force in doubles at the highest level. His partnership with Pavlasek has looked increasingly sharp with every match.
They now face a tough test in the Round of 16 against the second-seeded team of Harri Heliovaara (FIN) and Neal Skupski Patten (GBR) — one of the strongest combinations on tour this year.
Bhambri Makes History with Galloway After Beating Grand Slam Champs
Yuki Bhambri, teaming up with American Robert Galloway, also scripted a remarkable comeback in the Round of 32. They took on the 7th seeds — two-time Grand Slam champion Nikola Mektic and 2020 French Open winner Michael Venus — and emerged victorious after a hard-fought battle.
After losing the first set in a tight tiebreak and falling behind 1-3 in the second-set breaker, Bhambri and Galloway turned the tables with calm execution and a clutch performance. They clinched the tiebreak 7-4 and powered through the third set to win 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-3.
This is Bhambri’s first-ever Round 3 appearance at Roland-Garros and his third career Round of 16 showing in Grand Slam doubles, after the 2014 Australian Open and 2024 US Open. At 32, Bhambri’s renewed focus on doubles is bearing fruit, and this win over a top-class pair underscores his progress.
The Indo-American pair now gears up for a Round 3 encounter with the in-form 9th seeds William Blumberg and Christian Harrison of the USA — another formidable test.
Balaji & Reyes-Varela Eye Upset in Round 2 Clash vs 4th Seeds
Indian doubles specialist N. Sriram Balaji, who entered the draw with Mexico’s Miguel Ángel Reyes-Varela, is set to take on one of the tournament favourites in the second round — the 4th-seeded Italian pair of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.
The match is scheduled for 5:30 PM IST on May 31, and it presents a huge opportunity for Balaji to make a statement. The Indo-Mexican duo impressed in their opening round and will be hoping to bring that momentum against a vastly experienced team. Bolelli is a Grand Slam doubles champion, while Vavassori has had a standout year on the ATP tour.
While the odds are heavily stacked against them — Balaji/Reyes-Varela are priced at 5.43 to win compared to the Italians’ 1.14 — upsets are no rarity in doubles, especially on the clay courts of Paris.
If Balaji and Reyes-Varela can impose their aggressive baseline play and remain solid on serve, they have the tools to challenge the higher seeds.
A Strong Week for Indian Doubles at Roland-Garros
The simultaneous success of Bopanna, Bhambri, and Balaji has brought Indian doubles tennis into focus at Roland-Garros 2025. With two players already through to the third round, and one more in contention, it’s shaping up to be one of India’s most impactful campaigns in recent years at a Grand Slam.
Bopanna continues to be the flag-bearer with his relentless consistency. Bhambri is turning heads with his clutch performances. And Balaji is knocking on the door of a breakthrough moment. The clay in Paris is proving to be fertile ground for Indian doubles prowess once again.
What’s Next?
- Bopanna/Pavlasek vs Heliovaara/Patten – R3
- Bhambri/Galloway vs King/Harrison – R3
- Balaji/Reyes-Varela vs Bolelli/Vavassori – R2 today at 5:30 PM IST
Keep an eye on India’s trio as they battle it out for a place in the Roland-Garros quarterfinals.
