The opening rounds of the US Open 2025 men’s doubles draw have been nothing short of eventful for Indian tennis.
From a Grand Slam debutant impressing against top seeds, to seasoned names exiting early, and a stunning upset by an unseeded Indian pair, the story of the first round reflects both the promise and the fragility of India’s presence on the world stage.
The highlight of the day for India came courtesy of Anirudh Chandrasekar and Vijay Sundar Prashanth, who pulled off a memorable upset against the eighth-seeded American duo Evan King and Christian Harrison. Despite losing the first set 3-6, the Indians roared back with aggressive returns and sharp net exchanges to level the contest. Riding on the momentum, they held their nerve in the decider to clinch a famous 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory. For Anirudh and Vijay, both of whom have been grinding through the ATP Challenger circuit, this win is a statement. To knock out a seeded American pair on home soil at Flushing Meadows marks their arrival at the biggest stage.
Arjun Kadhe’s Encouraging Debut
Another big storyline came from Arjun Kadhe’s Grand Slam debut. Partnering Ecuador’s Diego Hidalgo, the Indian faced the daunting challenge of taking on the World No.2 team of Marcelo Arévalo and Mate Pavić. Kadhe and Hidalgo showed no nerves, stealing the opening set 7-5 and pushing the second seeds into a deciding third. Ultimately, the experienced pair prevailed 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-4, but Kadhe left the court with respect earned. On debut, he had pushed one of the best teams in the world to the brink.
For Rohan Bopanna, a semifinalist here just last year, this year’s campaign ended abruptly. Pairing with Monaco’s Hugo Arneodo, the veteran Indian fell in straight sets to the American team of Ryan Cash and James Tracy, 4-6, 3-6. The defeat was a reminder of the fine margins in doubles and the challenge of rebuilding rhythm with new partners. Meanwhile, Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli endured heartbreak in their opener. Facing Americans Vasil Kirkov and Ben Stevens, they began brightly, taking the first set 6-3. They later had three match points in the deciding set but could not convert, eventually going down 3-6, 7-6, 6-4.
The missed opportunities will sting, but the performance underlined their growing competitiveness at this level.
Bhambri and Venus Deliver with Authority
Amid the ups and downs, there was also a display of dominance. Yuki Bhambri, India’s top-ranked doubles player, and his partner Michael Venus of New Zealand, seeded 14th, stormed into the second round. They dismantled the American pair of Marcos Giron and Learner Tien with a commanding 6-0, 6-3 win, showcasing sharp serves and ruthless efficiency at the net. Bhambri and Venus now face Gonzalo Escobar (Ecuador) and Miguel Ángel Reyes-Varela (Mexico) in Round 2, where they will look to consolidate their strong start.
Indian doubles tennis has always carried weight at the Slams, but in recent years the depth of talent has been tested. With Rohan Bopanna nearing the twilight of his career, the spotlight is shifting toward the new wave players like Yuki Bhambri, Anirudh Chandrasekar, Vijay Sundar Prashanth, Sriram Balaji, Rithvik Bollipalli, and Arjun Kadhe.
- Bhambri’s consistency has made him India’s flag-bearer.
- Anirudh and Vijay’s upset win shows that hard work at the Challenger level can translate to results on the biggest stages.
- Kadhe’s debut was proof that Indian players can compete toe-to-toe with the world’s best.
- Balaji and Rithvik’s heartbreak illustrates how fine the margins are in doubles, but also how close they are to making breakthroughs.
The first round of the US Open 2025 men’s doubles has been a rollercoaster for India. The stunning upset by Anirudh and Vijay, the gritty debut of Kadhe, and the commanding win for Bhambri/Venus provided moments of pride. At the same time, early exits for Bopanna and the Balaji-Rithvik pair brought reminders of the challenges ahead. For Indian tennis, the message is clear: the next generation is here, ready to compete, and ready to seize its moments. The task now is to build on these flashes of brilliance and turn them into sustained success at the Grand Slam level.
Results Recap Indian Men’s Doubles at US Open 2025, R1:
- Anirudh Chandrasekar (IND)/Vijay Sundar Prashanth (IND) beat Evan King (USA)/Christian Harrison (USA) [8] 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
- Arjun Kadhe (IND)/Diego Hidalgo (ECU) lost to Mate Pavić (CRO)/Marcelo Arévalo (ESA) [2] 7-5, 6-7(4), 4-6
- Rohan Bopanna (IND)/Hugo Arneodo (MON) lost to Ryan Cash (USA)/James Tracy (USA) 4-6, 3-6
- Sriram Balaji (IND)/Rithvik Bollipalli (IND) lost to Vasil Kirkov (USA)/Ben Stevens (USA) 6-3, 6-7, 4-6
- Yuki Bhambri (IND)/Michael Venus (NZL) [14] beat Marcos Giron (USA)/Learner Tien (USA) 6-0, 6-3
