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Yuki Bhambri's Australian Open Run Ends in Men's Doubles Third Round

India's Yuki Bhambri and his Swedish partner Andre Goransson were defeated by the Brazilian duo of Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos in the third round of the Australian Open men's doubles. The match turned on key moments, including Goransson's consecutive double faults while serving at a critical juncture in the second set. With this loss, the Indian challenge at the season's first Grand Slam has concluded. Bhambri was the last Indian in contention after Sriram Balaji's exit in the previous round.

Key Points: Yuki Bhambri Exits Australian Open, Indian Campaign Ends

  • Bhambri/Goransson lost in straight sets
  • Crucial double faults cost second set
  • India's campaign at the tournament ends
  • Bhambri's best Slam was 2023 US Open semis
2 min read

Aus Open: Yuki-Goransson bow out in men's doubles third round, Indian challenge ends

Yuki Bhambri and partner Andre Goransson lose in the men's doubles third round at the Australian Open, ending India's challenge in Melbourne.

"Momentum slipped away in the second set after a crucial turning point. - Match Report"

Melbourne, Jan 26

India's top-ranked men's doubles tennis player Yuki Bhambri and his Swedish partner Andre Goransson crashed out of the Australian Open after losing to the Brazilian pair of Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos in the third round here on Monday.

Luz and Matos won the first set despite winning a lower number of points than Bhambri/Goransson by raising their game during crucial points in the set. The Brazilians edged Bhambri-Goransson in the short rallies (19-16), committing fewer errors (-3) to secure the 7-6 (9-7), 6-3 win.

Despite showing resilience in the opening-set tiebreak-saving three set points from 3-6 and even earning one at 7-6. Just when the momentum seemed to be swinging their way, they dropped the next three points to surrender the set.

Momentum slipped away in the second set after a crucial turning point. Serving at 3-2 with a break and holding two game points at 40-15, Goransson hit back-to-back double faults, handing the break back to the Brazilians. From there, Luz and Matos tightened their grip on the match, seeing out a straight-sets victory.

With Bhambri's men's doubles loss, India's campaign at the season's first ended, as he was the only Indian left in contention after Paris 2024 Olympian Sriram Balaji's run in the men's doubles ended after he and Austrian partner Neil Oberleitner went down 7-5, 6-1 to fourth seeds Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Croatia's Mate Pavic in the second round on Saturday.

This was Bhambri's third round of the men's doubles at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2014, when he partnered New Zealand's Michael Venus. His best showing at a Grand Slam came last year, when the pair made a run to the semi-finals at the US Open.

Bhambri also partnered with the 2018 Wimbledon champion, Nicole Melichar-Martinez of America, in the mixed doubles event, but the duo lost to sixth-seeded Zhang Shuai of China and Germany's Tim Putz in the opening round in straight sets.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
It's disappointing that the Indian challenge has ended so early. We need more players breaking through in singles. Doubles is great, but the real glory is in singles. The federation needs to invest more in developing young talent.
A
Ananya R
So close in that first set tiebreak! Saving three set points showed great fight. Just couldn't close it out. Yuki's partnership is promising though, US Open semis last year! The future is bright. 🎾
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Vikram M
The Brazilians were just more clutch on the big points. That's what separates winners at this level. Yuki and team need to work on mental toughness during those pressure moments. A good learning experience.
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Karthik V
With all due respect to the players, it feels like we are perpetually celebrating "good efforts" and "learning experiences" while other nations win titles. When will an Indian man win a Grand Slam again? We need a champion's mindset.
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Priya S
Heartbreaking to read about the double faults. Must be so tough for Goransson. But kudos to Yuki for his best Aus Open run in a decade! Let's support our athletes through wins and losses. #bleedblue

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