Yuki Bhambri Reaches First Grand Slam Semifinal at US Open

New York, September 4 (PTI): India's Yuki Bhambri has achieved a career milestone by advancing to his first Grand Slam semifinal, teaming up with New Zealand's Michael Venus in the US Open men's doubles event.

The Indo-Kiwi duo pulled off an upset against the 11th-seeded pair of Nikola Mektic and Rajeev Ram, with a 6-3, 6-7(8), 6-3 victory on Court 17 on Wednesday, showcasing their remarkable performance.

Prior to this, Bhambri and Venus impressively defeated the fourth-seeded team of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in the round of 16.

For Bhambri, aged 33, this is a significant breakthrough after enduring years of injuries and making the transition from singles to doubles tennis.

A former junior world No. 1 and the 2009 Australian Open boys' champion, Bhambri has now achieved his finest result at a senior Grand Slam tournament.

This accomplishment further extends India's rich legacy in men's doubles, carried forward by legends like Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Rohan Bopanna.

The duo secured the first break of the match as Bhambri delivered a return winner on Mektic's serve, taking a crucial 3-1 lead. Despite Venus facing pressure on his serve in the following game, he held firm to consolidate the advantage.

Bhambri sealed the first set by executing an easy volley winner on Ram’s service return.

However, the Indian lost his serve early in the second set, allowing Mektic and Ram to fight back. After leveling the score at 4-4, they clinched the set with a tiebreak win as Bhambri double-faulted facing set point.

In the deciding set, Bhambri saved a crucial break point in the third game to avert danger.

Mektic, leading 40-15 in the eighth game, was broken for a 5-3 lead after failing to return Bhambri’s angled backhand post a double fault at deuce.

With Venus serving for the match, the duo faced a challenge at 0-40 but saved all match points and won the game when Ram's backhand return hit the net.

Bhambri and Venus are set to face the sixth-seeded British pair of Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski for a spot in the final.

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