Indian tennis fans woke up to a historic moment at Flushing Meadows as Yuki Bhambri, alongside New Zealand’s Michael Venus, booked a place in the US Open men’s doubles semifinals.
The Indo-Kiwi pair stunned 11th seeds Rajeev Ram of the USA and Nikola Mektic of Croatia in a high-quality quarterfinal, winning 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3. With this result, Bhambri has reached his first-ever Grand Slam semifinal, marking a new high in his career.
The contest, played under bright New York lights, had all the ingredients of a classic doubles battle powerful serves, sharp reflex volleys, nerveless returns, and drama that stretched across two hours. For Bhambri, who has had to reinvent himself as a doubles specialist after injuries halted his singles journey, this breakthrough could prove career-defining.
The Indo-Kiwi duo began the match with a sense of purpose. They broke early in the first set, with Venus’s imposing net play and Bhambri’s precision from the baseline setting the tone. Ram and Mektic, both decorated champions with multiple Grand Slam titles between them, were expected to dictate proceedings, but Bhambri and Venus kept them off balance with aggressive returns and well-timed poaches.
A single break of serve was enough to secure the opening set 6-3. Their crisp execution and confidence suggested they were ready to challenge even the most experienced of pairings.
Heartbreak in the Second Set
The second set, however, turned into a test of nerves. Bhambri and Venus looked on course for a straight-sets win when they earned a match point at 6-5 in the tiebreak. But Ram, a six-time Grand Slam doubles champion, showed why he is among the most clutch performers on the tour.
With sharp serves and fearless volleys, the Ram-Mektic duo saved the match point and edged the set 7-6(8). It was a gutting blow for Bhambri and Venus, who had been within touching distance of history. Yet, rather than dwell on the missed opportunity, they regrouped quickly.
Holding Nerve in the Decider
The final set was all about resilience. Both teams held serve through the opening games, but pressure built when Ram and Mektic carved out multiple break points on Bhambri’s serve. The Indian showed immense composure, saving seven break points in a tense ninth game that lasted nearly 15 minutes.
That hold proved pivotal. In the very next game, Bhambri and Venus broke Ram’s serve with some fearless returning, sealing the decisive break. Venus then served out the match confidently, clinching the victory 6-3 in the third set.
The result not only handed Bhambri and Venus a place in the last four but also ended an impressive eight-match winning streak of Ram and Mektic.
For Bhambri, this semifinal berth is much more than just another tournament milestone. Injuries had forced the former junior world No. 1 to abandon his singles ambitions and pivot fully to doubles. In the past year, he has steadily climbed the doubles rankings, striking up a productive partnership with Venus, who himself is a Grand Slam champion and a consistent doubles contender.
Beating a pair of the stature of Ram and Mektic players with a combined eight Grand Slam titles underscores that Bhambri belongs at this level. It also continues India’s tradition of producing doubles specialists capable of competing on the sport’s grandest stages, following the footsteps of legends like Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Rohan Bopanna.
The semifinal test promises to be equally formidable. Bhambri and Venus will face the winners of the clash between Britain’s Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, the French Open finalists, and the Czech team of Tomas Machac and Adam Vocel. Salisbury and Skupski, in particular, are among the most cohesive teams on the circuit, with multiple Grand Slam finals under their belt.
For Bhambri, the challenge will be to maintain the same composure and aggression that carried him past Ram and Mektic. Venus’s experience at the sharp end of Slams he has previously reached multiple major semifinals and finals will be an invaluable guiding force.
This result injects a fresh wave of optimism into Indian tennis. While the singles landscape has been tough for Indian players in recent years, doubles continues to provide bright moments.
With Rohan Bopanna still active at 45 and Sania Mirza retired last year, the emergence of Bhambri in the Grand Slam latter stages offers fans a new name to rally behind.
For a nation hungry for consistent success in tennis, Bhambri’s journey to the US Open semifinals represents both continuity and renewal. It is a reminder that Indian tennis, despite challenges, still has the ability to produce world-class performers.
As Bhambri prepares for his maiden Grand Slam semifinal, one thing is certain he has already scripted a proud chapter in Indian tennis history. Whether or not he and Venus go all the way to the final, this campaign has proven that his decision to focus on doubles was the right one.
At 32, Bhambri’s singles career may not have reached the heights once promised, but his perseverance and reinvention have brought him to a stage many only dream of. If he can sustain this momentum, the semifinal could just be the beginning of a new and exciting phase in his career.
For now, Indian fans can celebrate a historic night in New York, where Yuki Bhambri finally carved his place among the game’s elite.
