It’s been a flying start for Indian tennis fans at Roland Garros 2025. With three Indian players advancing to the second round of the men’s doubles, the red clay of Paris is turning into a stage for a tricolor showcase.
Sriram Balaji, Rohan Bopanna, and Yuki Bhambri—each representing different phases of Indian tennis—have kept hopes alive with impressive Round 1 wins alongside their respective partners.
Sriram Balaji: Consistency Meets Clay
Sriram Balaji, partnering with Miguel Ángel Reyes-Varela of Mexico, began his 2025 Roland-Garros campaign with a commanding straight-sets win in Round 1. The victory not only ensures progression but marks Balaji’s third consecutive Grand Slam Round 2 appearance, and his second straight at Roland-Garros—a testament to his growing consistency on the major stage.
The Indo-Mexican pair looked sharp from the start, dominating with aggressive net play and smart serving. Their chemistry, built over several ATP-level matches this season, translated well onto the clay. Their next challenge, however, is likely to be sterner, as they await the winners of an intriguing clash between the fourth-seeded Italian duo of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori, and the legendary French wildcards Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut. If Mahut and Herbert advance, it will be a true test of Balaji’s clay-court mettle against one of the most iconic doubles teams of this generation.
For Balaji, who has quietly built a reputation as one of India’s most reliable doubles players, this is another opportunity to establish himself among the world’s elite. A Round 2 win would not just be a personal milestone, but also boost India’s campaign in the tournament significantly.
Rohan Bopanna: The Veteran Keeps Marching
Rohan Bopanna, the evergreen Indian doubles maestro, showed once again why he continues to defy age and expectations. At 45 years old, Bopanna is playing in his 18th consecutive Roland-Garros, and he started with a thrilling three-set win alongside Czech partner Adam Pavlasek.
Facing the American pair of Cash and Tracy, Bopanna and Pavlasek were down early in the first set and then trailed 0-3 in the first-set tiebreak, but the duo stormed back to win the tiebreak 8-6. Although they dropped the second set 5-7, they regrouped strongly in the third, taking it comfortably 6-1.
The Indo-Czech duo’s fighting spirit and tactical adaptability were on full display, especially Bopanna’s calm head in clutch moments. Now, they await the winners of another all-French affair between the 13th seeds Doumbia/Reboul and wildcards Barrere/Mannarino. Given Bopanna’s vast experience and clay-court nous, Round 2 promises to be another exciting chapter.
It’s worth pausing to acknowledge the sheer longevity of Bopanna’s career. Competing at this level and defeating younger opponents on the grueling clay surface of Paris at 45 is nothing short of remarkable. Every match he plays adds another layer to his legacy as one of India’s greatest ever tennis players.
Yuki Bhambri & Galloway: Strong Start, Old Friends Await
Yuki Bhambri, now focused entirely on doubles, continued his rise in the format with an excellent win alongside American partner Julian Cash Galloway. They overcame the tall and powerful team of Robin Haase and Hendrik Jebens in three tough sets, winning 6-3, 6-7(8), 6-3.
The match had its tense moments. Bhambri and Galloway saved three set points in the second set, even held a match point, but were ultimately pushed to a deciding set. Showing maturity and resilience, the Indo-American pair controlled the third set, breaking at crucial moments to book their spot in Round 2.
They now face a stiff challenge against the 7th seeds—Nikola Mektic of Croatia and Michael Venus of New Zealand. Interestingly, Bhambri and Venus share a close bond. It was with Venus that Bhambri made his Grand Slam and Masters 1000 doubles debut, making this clash a reunion of sorts, albeit on opposite sides of the net.
This adds a personal layer to an already high-stakes match. With Venus and Mektic known for their aggressive poaching and quick reflexes, Bhambri and Galloway will need to be tactically sharp and serve consistently to create chances.
Early Exit for Bollipalli/Barrientos
While three Indian players progressed, it wasn’t all smiles in the Indian camp. The duo of N. Sriram Bollipalli and Colombia’s Nicolas Barrientos suffered a harsh defeat in the opening round. They were completely outplayed by the unseeded but inspired team of Gabriel Diallo (Canada) and Jacob Fearnley (UK), losing 0-6, 2-6.
It was a match where little went right for the Indo-Colombian pair. Their opponents were in red-hot form from the start, combining big serves and heavy returns to keep Bollipalli/Barrientos on the backfoot. Despite the early exit, the experience of playing at Roland-Garros will serve as motivation for Bollipalli as he builds his international doubles credentials.
Indian Doubles Revival on the Grand Slam Stage
With three Indian players making it to the second round of the men’s doubles, Roland-Garros 2025 already ranks as one of India’s most promising Grand Slam outings in recent times. From Bopanna’s enduring legacy, to Balaji’s consistency, to Bhambri’s growing confidence in doubles, the tournament has provided fans with plenty to cheer.
As Round 2 beckons, tougher opponents await. But with India’s flag flying high in Paris, the possibility of deeper runs — even quarterfinals or beyond — doesn’t seem far-fetched.
Stay tuned as Indian tennis continues its charge on the Parisian clay.
