Yuki Bhambri Achieves Maiden Masters 1000 Doubles Victory at Indian Wells

Boosted by the support of doubles star Rohan Bopanna, Yuki Bhambri secured a comeback victory in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open, the Masters 1000 tournament held in Indian Wells, CA. Partnering with Sweden’s André Göransson, Bhambri prevailed 3-6, 7-6(5), [10-8] against the experienced pair of Sander Gille (Belgium) and Jan Zielinski (Poland). 

The match was hard fought throughout, featuring several breaks of serve and a contentious moment in the first set when Gille and Zielinski requested a video review of a winner by Bhambri, claiming that Bhambri had reached over the net to connect with the ball. The umpire ultimately awarded the point to the Belgian/Polish pair, overturning the call on the court. Bhambri and Göransson then dropped the first set 3-6. 

Undeterred by this result, the Indo-Swedish duo battled back in the second set from a deficit of 0-2 and won 7-5. The pair, however, did not have it easy after that. They had to come back again in the super tiebreak, falling behind 0-2. Displaying remarkable resilience, Bhambri and Göransson continued to put pressure on Gille and Zielinski’s respective serves and prevailed 10-8 in the super tiebreak, to the delight of many of the fans in the crowd. 

Bhambri acknowledged that the conditions impacted the up-and-down match. “It was difficult conditions to serve, and I think the wind was a factor. I haven’t been a part of matches where you had four breaks of serves [right at the beginning],” he said. 

At the same time, Bhambri praised the BNP Paribas Open overall, a tournament where he has had some of his greatest triumphs as a singles player. “It’s a beautiful place to play tennis. It’s great to come back, and I’m trying to play at as high a level as I can. To be able to play this type of event, it really shows the progress I’ve made on the doubles side.” 

One reason that Bhambri plays so well in the desert is the incredible fan support he receives from the Indian-origin fans who come out to the tournament. “It means a lot,” he said when discussing his passionate fan base in the desert. “Much like in New York, it’s a great crowd. It makes you feel at home. You always see that players playing in their home conditions or in the home country, they end up doing well. I feel that way here at Indian Wells.”

Bhambri went on to praise the general support that Indian tennis players receive at the BNP Paribas Open. “Yesterday’s match with Dodig and Bopanna was absolutely packed. It’s a great atmosphere, and with that support, it is just easier to do better and keep going.” 

Adding an extra layer of fan support for Bhambri this year was the presence of tennis legend Bopanna, who was seated in the front row in the crowd for Bhambri’s first-round match. “It was great,” Bhambri said. “It’s nice to be able to go back and forth and ask him questions about the game. He’s obviously seen me play doubles for the last few years now. During that time, he’s been a great mentor. I always try to pick his brain to improve and help my game.”

The victory in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open marks Bhambri’s maiden doubles win at a Masters 1000 level event, his second appearance at this level and his first at the BNP Paribas Open on the doubles side. The win significantly boosts his live ATP doubles ranking to number 34. 

Bhambri and Göransson now advance to the round of 32, where they will face the second-ranked team of Harri Heliovaara (Finland) and Henry Patten (Great Britain).