India’s Yuki Bhambri continued his superb run with partner Michael Venus to enter the US Open 2025 men’s doubles semifinals, thereby registering the best Grand Slam result of his senior career. The Indo-Kiwi pair stunned the 11th seeds Nikola Mektic and Rajeev Ram 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in a thrilling quarterfinal clash on Court 17.
Bhambri and Venus came through a thrilling match against the American veteran and six-time Major doubles title winner Rajeev, who has won the US Open men’s doubles event thrice in the past. Mektic is also a Major winner, having won the 2021 Wimbledon title with Mate Pavic, while registering one mixed doubles Major win at Australian Open 2020.
“It’s nerve-wracking, nothing good going on in the head,” Yuki said in the post-match interview on court, when asked how he was feeling. “It was a really tough match. Our opponents made it extremely difficult for us with their vast experience as multiple Grand Slam champions, made it very difficult for us.”
The result was the second straight win against a higher-seeded pair for Bhambri and Venus, who earlier overcame Tim Putz and Kevin Krawietz 6-4 6-4 in the round of 16.
Bhambri also spoke in his on-court interview about his partnership with 37-year-old Venus. The pair started competing together this year, starting from Washington, where they reached the quarterfinal. They then bowed out in the opening round of the Canada Masters 1000 event, as well at the Cincinatti Masters 1000, losing in a match tiebreak on both occasions. But in the immediate lead-up to the US Open, Bhambri and Venus made it to the semifinals at the ATP 250 event in Winston-Salem, with Bhambri getting one over Rohan Bopanna and his partner Arneodo in the quarterfinals. Bhambri played at the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year with American Robert Galloway, reaching the round of 16 at Roland Garros as well at SW19
“We have been friends for over 15 years, and the timing felt right to start competing together. I am genuinely happy to be by his side on the court. Having faced him multiple times as an opponent, I don’t want to be against him. It has been a wonderful journey so far, starting from the US summer tournament in Washington, and we are happy with the progress we’ve made together.”
Bhambri and Venus secured the first break of the match when the Indian found a service return winner on Mektic’s serve for a 3-1 lead. Venus’ serve came under pressure in the very next game but the New Zealander managed to save, consolidating the break.
Bhambri locked the first set with an easy volley winner on Ram’s return. The Indian, however, lost his serve early in the second set, allowing Mektic and Ram to make a comeback in the match. They got the break back to make it 4-4 but eventually lost the set in the tie-break when Bhambri served a double fault, facing set point. Bhambri saved a break point in game three of the decider to avert the danger.
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Mektic was comfortably up 40-15 in game eight but the Indo-Kiwi pair got the break for a decisive 5-3 lead when Mektic could not return the angled backhand from the Indian after serving a double fault at deuce. Serving for the match, Venus was down 0-40 but he and Bhambri saved all three and later two more and closed the game when Ram’s backhand service return fell on the net.
Bhambri and Venus will face sixth seed British pair of Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski for a place in the final.
(With PTI inputs)
