US Open 2025: Yuki Bhambri’s Dream Run Ends in Heartbreak

Yuki Bhambri (India) made a significant run at the 2025 US Open before being eliminated in the men’s doubles semi-finals on Thursday night. It was alongside partner Michael Venus (New Zealand), in an exciting three-set match. The pair fought admirably against defending champions Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski (Great Britain). It was before ultimately falling 7-6 (2), 6-7 (5), 4-6 in their two hour, 53 minute match at the Louis Armstrong Arena in New York.

Bhambri had the chance to become the first Indian male to reach a men’s doubles final since Rohan Bopanna in 2023. Throughout the tournament, he displayed amazing determination and toughness, reminiscent of India’s previous greats, Leander Paes and Sania Mirza. These both found success at Flushing Meadows in 2015.

A Golden Opportunity Passed

The Indo-Kiwi duo started strong as they took the first set via tie-break, then broke early in the second. They even had two break points at 15-40 during the fifth game. This would have given them a double-break alter in the set and possibly a strangle-hold over the match. However, they squandered the opportunity allowing the British sixth seeds an avenue back into contention.

That missed opportunity seemed to unsettle Bhambri. His previous accurate shooting turned into a series of careless errors. The disappointed Bhambri and Venus saved two match points in the final game of the second set. But the inevitable tie-break went serve to Salisbury and Skupski. They seized the momentum and refused to let it go.

Increased Tension for the Decison-Makers

The third set showed the poise and experience of Salisbury and Skupski. Bhambri and Venus pushed on with impressive numbers – 55 winners to their opponent’s 49 – but stumbled in critical moments. Bhambri’s returns were not as effective. Venus appeared to be agitated as the set moved forward.
Despite hitting 54% of points on second serve to their opponents 49%, the Indo/Kiwi duo wilted under the relentless pressure of Salisbury and Skupski. The British pairing were decisive in the important moments. This punctured the opportunity to qualify for the final.

A Movement in Remembrance

Even with the harsh defeat, Yuki Bhambri can walk away with so much to be proud of from his US Open journey. His partnership with Michael Venus produced some of the most entertaining tennis of the tournament. This was with an amazing quarter-final win against Rajeev Ram and Nikola Mektić.

This semi-final finish is a significant accomplishment for Bhambri. Though he was primarily known as a singles player, the former Junior Australian Open champion has become a doubles specialist. His performance at Flushing Meadows is going to propel him into the ATP men’s doubles rankings top 25 for the first time.

At 33, Bhambri seems eager to take up the mantle left by Rohan Bopanna. Bopanna has represented India in doubles for years. Although Bopanna dropped out of the tournament early this year, Bhambri kept India’s hopes alive until the latter stages of the US Open.

A Crossroads in Indian Tennis

Bhambri’s performance shows a new beginning for Indian tennis. Barring the great accomplishments of legends like Paes, Bhupathi, and Mirza at Grand Slam levels, it is clear that a new succession of Indian tennis players are taking over the torch, and Bhambri’s performance in New York shows that we still have athletes from India that can win at the very highest levels.

His story was also quite poignant in nature and attracted a considerable amount of attention to be one of the more famous stories in sports news headlines today. Fans back home rejoiced in his accomplishments while experts gave him great respect with his ability to play under the pressure against top international athletes.

Yuki Bhambri’s run at The US Open 2025 may not net him his first Grand Slam title, but it most certainly has made him now a player to watch in the men’s doubles. This semi-final performance is significant for Indian tennis as it’s much bigger than an outcome, it’s a revival and hope.

With respect to his campaign, Bhambri can be pleased with himself since he has re-instilled a sense of faith within Indian tennis fans – hopefully for the next generation to aim big.