Tennis: India’s US Open campaign ends after Yuki Bhambri’s dream run ends in semi-final
Bhambri bows out of Grand Slam in final four
The 2025 US Open has already delivered plenty of surprises and storylines, one of which came in the men’s doubles category, where India’s Yuki Bhambri made a historic run to the semi-final of the Grand Slam event in New York.
Bhambri, along with his Kiwi teammate Michael Venus, produced a massive effort but bowed out of the competition against the sixth-seed pairing of Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 after a thrilling battle that lasted just shy of two hours.
Despite the disappointment, the 33-year-old still etched his name in the history books with his performance, becoming only the fourth Indian in the Open era to reach the final four of a Grand Slam event after Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna. Speaking after his exit, Bhambri said:
"This has been a special week for me. To be playing at this level and in the semifinals of a Slam is a big moment.”
En route to the semi-final, Bhambri and Venus eliminated two higher-ranked pairs in Germany’s Tim Putz and Kevin Krawietz (number four seed) before ousting Rajiv Ram and Nikola Mektic (number 11 seeds).
Bhambri’s incredible run at the US Open is a massive achievement given the number of injury setbacks he has faced in recent years, and it will also provide a nice boost to the pair heading into a busy end to the season.
British pair aim for history in US Open finals
After fighting back from a set down against Bhambri and Venus, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski booked their place in the men’s doubles final where they will be hoping to become the first all-British team to win the US Open doubles title in over 100 years.
The last all-British pair to win this competition was Laurence and Reginald Doherty back in 1903. While Salisbury has tasted victory at the US Open on three occasions, he did so with his former teammate, Rajeev Ram of the US.
Aside from the record, this final affords Salisbury and Skupski a chance at redemption for a Grand Slam title this year, having lost in the final at Roland Garros to Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos, who they will face in the showpiece here on Saturday.
Later the same day, the women’s singles title will be decided with Aryna Sabalenka set to face Amanda Anisimova, while the men’s singles final will be staged on Sunday at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
