Indian tennis star Yuki Bhambri is riding a wave of momentum as he heads to Indian Wells, fresh off his historic ATP 500 title in Dubai.
The Indian Doubles No.2 and World No.39 had a dream run in Dubai, where he and partner Alexei Popyrin pulled off a stunning feat—defeating the World No.1, No.2, and No.3 teams en route to the title, saving four championship points in the final.
With his first ATP 500 title now in the bag, Bhambri is set for another big test at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where he and Sweden’s Andre Göransson have made it into the doubles draw as last-minute entrants following the withdrawal of Flavio Cobolli and Lorenzo Musetti.
Dubai Triumph: A Career-Defining Moment
Bhambri’s victory in Dubai marks a significant milestone in his doubles career. Not only did he claim his biggest ATP title, but he also surged to a career-high ranking of World No.39. This rise in rankings is proof of his growing stature as one of India’s premier doubles players.
Here’s a look at his road to glory in Dubai:
Final:
🆚 (2) Harri Heliovaara 🇫🇮 / Julian Cash 🇬🇧
✅ Won 3-6, 7-6(12), 10-8
A match for the ages, Bhambri and Popyrin staged a dramatic comeback after losing the first set. The second set saw a grueling 24-point tiebreak, where they saved multiple championship points before forcing a decider. In the match tiebreak, they held their nerve to close out the match 10-8, securing their maiden ATP 500 crown.
Semifinal:
🆚 Jamie Murray 🇬🇧 / John Peers 🇦🇺
✅ Won 6-2, 4-6, 10-7
A clash against one of the most experienced pairs on tour saw Bhambri and Popyrin dominate the first set before facing a fightback in the second. However, in the deciding tiebreak, they played aggressive, clutch tennis to book their spot in the final.
Quarterfinal:
🆚 Julian Cash 🇬🇧 / Lloyd Glasspool 🇬🇧
✅ Won 5-7, 7-6(5), 10-5
Yet another tough battle, Bhambri and Popyrin lost a tight first set before turning the tide in the second. The match tiebreak saw them raise their level, winning it comfortably 10-5.
Round of 16:
🆚 (1) Marcelo Arevalo 🇸🇻 / Mate Pavic 🇭🇷
✅ Won 4-6, 7-6(1), 10-3
Perhaps the biggest upset of the tournament, Bhambri and Popyrin took down the top seeds after dropping the opening set. A dominant second-set tiebreak and a flawless match tiebreak sealed a statement victory for the Indian-Australian duo.
Looking Ahead to Indian Wells
With the confidence from Dubai, Bhambri now shifts focus to Indian Wells, one of the most prestigious Masters 1000 events. This will be his second Masters 1000 doubles main draw, following his debut in Miami 2024, where he and Michael Venus lost in the opening round.
At Indian Wells, he will team up with Sweden’s Andre Göransson, a skilled doubles specialist with multiple ATP titles. Originally the first alternates, Bhambri and Göransson got a lucky break when Cobolli/Musetti withdrew, allowing them to enter the main draw.
Opening Round Match:
🆚 Sander Gille 🇧🇪 / Jan Zielinski 🇵🇱
📅 Likely on Monday, March 10
Gille and Zielinski are a solid doubles team, known for their consistency and tactical play. This will be another test for Bhambri, who will look to carry his Dubai form into the tournament.
Fond Memories from Indian Wells
Indian Wells holds a special place in Bhambri’s career. Back in 2018, he made headlines by reaching the third round in singles, a rare achievement for an Indian player. On his way, he scored a memorable victory over World No.12 Lucas Pouille, showcasing his potential on the singles circuit before injuries led him to transition into doubles.
The Road Ahead
At 29, Bhambri’s doubles career is just getting started. His recent success in Dubai signals that he can compete at the highest level. With his career-high ranking of No.39, he is now in contention for direct entries into Grand Slams and Masters events, giving him a shot at even bigger titles.
If he can build on this momentum at Indian Wells, Bhambri could soon break into the ATP Top 30 in doubles, a feat not achieved by many Indian players in recent years. With the French Open and Wimbledon coming up, strong performances at the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami) could set him up for a career-best season.
For now, all eyes are on Indian Wells, where Yuki Bhambri will look to make another statement. Can he continue his dream run? We’ll soon find out.
