Indian tennis player Yuki Bhambri has scripted the biggest moment of his professional career, storming into the men’s doubles semifinals of the US Open alongside New Zealand’s Michael Venus.
This marks Bhambri’s maiden appearance in the last four of a Grand Slam.
The Indo-Kiwi pair continued their remarkable run on Wednesday by toppling 11th seeds Nikola Mektic and Rajeev Ram 6-3, 6-7(8), 6-3 in a high-intensity quarterfinal clash on Court 17.
The victory comes on the back of another upset in the previous round, where they ousted fourth seeds Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz.
For 33-year-old Bhambri, a former junior world No.1 and the 2009 Australian Open boys’ singles champion, the achievement represents a career-defining breakthrough after years of battling injuries and transitioning from singles to doubles.
Speaking after the match, Bhambri described the experience as “nerve-wracking but deeply rewarding,” adding that competing against seasoned Grand Slam winners tested their composure at every point.
He also expressed delight at partnering Venus again, noting that their renewed collaboration “felt like perfect timing.”
The duo first reunited during the US summer hardcourt season in Washington, and their progress since then has been steady.
Bhambri said he always preferred teaming up with Venus rather than facing him across the net, and credited their partnership for the recent results.
India has a proud legacy in men’s doubles, built by icons like Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna. Bhambri’s latest milestone adds a fresh chapter to that tradition.
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In Wednesday’s encounter, Bhambri and Venus made the early breakthrough, grabbing a 3-1 lead before clinching the opening set.
The second set saw Mektic and Ram fight back, capitalising on a Bhambri double fault in the tiebreak to level the match.
But the Indo-Kiwi duo held their nerve in the decider, breaking Mektic’s serve at a crucial stage before Venus sealed the contest despite facing five break points in the final game.
With the quarterfinal hurdle cleared, Bhambri and Venus will next take on Britain’s sixth-seeded pair, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, for a spot in the final.
