India’s Yuki Bhambri progressed to his maiden Grand Slam semifinal by advancing to the final 4 of the U.S. Open males’s doubles occasion with New Zealand associate Michael Venus.
The Indo-Kiwi duo upset eleventh seeds Nikola Mektic and Rajeev Ram 6-3, 6-7(8), 6-3 in a quarterfinal conflict on Court 17 to proceed their spectacular run on Wednesday (September 3, 2025).
Earlier, Bhambri and Venus had knocked out fourth seeds Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in the pre-quarterfinals.
For Bhambri, 33, it marked a profession breakthrough after years of battling accidents and transitioning from singles to doubles.
A former junior world No. 1 and the 2009 Australian Open boys’ champion, he has now achieved his greatest end result at a senior Grand Slam.
“It has been an incredibly nerve-wracking experience, and at this moment, there is a whirlwind of emotions,” Bhambri stated whereas talking on Jio Hotstar.
“We are simply grateful to have prevailed in such a challenging match. Our opponents made it extremely difficult for us with their vast experience as multiple Grand Slam champions, and competing against them truly tested our resolve at every stage.” Talking about his determination to rejoin forces with Venus, Bhambri stated the “timing felt right” to begin competing collectively once more.
“I am genuinely pleased to be by his side on the court. Having faced him multiple times as an opponent, I always preferred partnering with him rather than playing against him.
“It has been a beautiful journey to date, ranging from the U.S. summer season match in Washington, and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made collectively.”
The result also extends India’s legacy in men’s doubles, in which the likes of Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna have excelled in the past.
The winners secured the first break of the match when Bhambri found a service return winner on Mektik’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.
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.
