Can Yuki Bhambri Keep India's Hopes Alive at Aus Open?
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Synopsis
Yuki Bhambri's incredible comeback in the men's doubles at the Australian Open highlights his determination, while Sriram Balaji's exit raises questions about India's presence in the tournament. Can Bhambri carry the weight of expectations and lead India deep into the competition?
Key Takeaways
- Yuki Bhambri advances to the third round of men's doubles.
- He and his partner came back from a set down to win.
- India's Sriram Balaji exits the tournament after another second-round loss.
- Bhambri is now the only Indian player remaining in the competition.
- Balaji's performance highlights the challenges faced by Indian players.
Melbourne, Jan 24 (NationPress) Yuki Bhambri from India, alongside his Swedish partner, Andre Goransson, staged a remarkable comeback after losing the first set to defeat Santiago Gonzalez from Mexico and David Pel from the Netherlands in the second round of men's doubles at the 2026 Australian Open on Saturday. Unfortunately, another prominent Indian player, Sriram Balaji, faced elimination as he and his partner exited the tournament at Melbourne Park.
Bhambri, who is currently India's highest-ranked men's doubles player, along with the 10th-seeded Goransson, rallied back to triumph with a score of 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 after a tough second-round battle. The Indo-Swedish team started slowly, dropping the first set following an early break against Bhambri in the third game.
The match was halted due to the extreme heat policy during the second set when the score was tied at 2-2.
However, Bhambri, ranked 22nd in the men's doubles ATP standings, and Goransson quickly found their rhythm, maintaining strong service throughout the match. After narrowly winning a tense second-set tie-break, they took charge in the final set, breaking their opponents twice to clinch victory.
This win marks Bhambri's first progression to the third round of men's doubles at the Australian Open since 2014, when he partnered with Michael Venus from New Zealand. His best Grand Slam achievement was reaching the semifinals at the US Open last year with Venus.
With this victory, Bhambri stands as the only Indian player still competing in the 2026 Australian Open.
Earlier in the day, Olympian Balaji's journey in men's doubles concluded after he and his Austrian partner, Neil Oberleitner, fell to the fourth seeds, Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Mate Pavic from Croatia, with a score of 7-5, 6-1 in the second round.
Balaji and Oberleitner entered the main draw as late alternates and had a notable upset in the first round, defeating former Grand Slam champions Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France and Jordan Thompson from Australia.
Sadly, Saturday's loss marked Balaji's fourth consecutive second-round exit in men's doubles at the Australian Open, and he has yet to advance beyond this stage in this prestigious tournament.
Earlier this week, Bhambri and Nicole Melichar-Martinez from the USA were eliminated in the first round of mixed doubles, losing to the sixth seeds, Zhang Shuai from China and Tim Putz of Germany, in straight sets.
Point of View
Bhambri's performance stands out as a beacon of hope for Indian tennis, showcasing resilience and skill. His journey in the Australian Open serves as inspiration, while Balaji's exit highlights the challenges faced by Indian athletes on the grand stage. As we follow Bhambri's progress, the nation unites in support, hoping for a remarkable run in the tournament.
NationPress
24/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Yuki Bhambri defeat in the second round?
Yuki Bhambri and Andre Goransson defeated Santiago Gonzalez and David Pel.
What is Yuki Bhambri's ATP ranking?
Yuki Bhambri is currently ranked 22nd in men's doubles ATP rankings.
How did Sriram Balaji perform in the tournament?
Sriram Balaji and his partner Neil Oberleitner lost in the second round to the fourth seeds Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic.
When was the last time Bhambri reached the third round at the Australian Open?
Bhambri last reached the third round in 2014.
Who was Bhambri's partner in mixed doubles?
Yuki Bhambri partnered with Nicole Melichar-Martinez in mixed doubles.
