India’s Yuki Bhambri and New Zealand’s Michael Venus scripted a memorable campaign at the US Open 2025, reaching the men’s doubles semifinals. But their dream run came to a close after a hard-fought three-set defeat to Britain’s Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski. Here’s a breakdown of the gripping semifinal clash and its takeaways.
1. A Clash of Equals at Louis Armstrong Stadium
The Indo-Kiwi duo faced one of the strongest british pairings on the circuit. From the very first serve, the semifinal was packed with powerful rallies, strong baseline exchanges, and fearless net play, keeping fans at the edge of their seats.
2. Bhambri & Venus Start Strong in the First Set
The opening set was a battle of nerves and serves. Bhambri and Venus took an early lead and pushed Salisbury-Skupski into defensive mode. Though the british duo leveled at 5-5, Bhambri and Venus held their composure and clinched the tiebreak 7-6 (7-2) to draw first blood.
3. Missed Chances in the Second Set
The second set saw momentum swing back and forth. Bhambri and Venus came close to a crucial break in the fifth game but just missed out. That missed opportunity came back to haunt them as Salisbury and Skupski clawed their way back, forcing a tiebreak. Despite fierce resistance, the Indo-Kiwi pair lost the set 6-7 (5-7).
4. Final Set Heartbreak
With everything on the line, the final set demanded nerves of steel. Salisbury and Skupski managed to break Bhambri-Venus’ rhythm early on and carried their momentum till the end. The british duo sealed the decider 6-4, crushing the Indo-Kiwi dream of making their maiden Grand Slam final together
5. Bhambri’s Grand Slam Breakthrough
Despite the loss, the tournament marked a career milestone for Yuki Bhambri. Reaching the semifinals at the US Open is a major achievement, boosting his confidence as a doubles specialist and raising hopes for indian tennis fans. His chemistry with Michael Venus stood out as one of the biggest positives.
6. Michael Venus’ Experience Shines
For Venus, already an established doubles player, the campaign reaffirmed his consistency at the highest level. His ability to guide Bhambri through pressure moments showcased why the Indo-Kiwi pairing worked so well against the world’s top-ranked players.
7. The british Wall: Salisbury & Skupski’s Dominance
Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski once again proved why they are among the most feared doubles teams in the world. Their resilience in tie-breaks and calm finishing in crunch points tilted the semifinal in their favor. They now march into the final with sky-high confidence.
8. Looking Ahead: A Partnership with Promise
Though their US Open journey ended, Bhambri and Venus displayed teamwork, grit, and adaptability. Their semifinal run suggests this partnership has the potential to deliver bigger results in future ATP and Grand Slam tournaments.
Final Word
The 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (5-7), 4-6 loss may have ended Bhambri and Venus’ US Open 2025 dream, but it marked a turning point in Bhambri’s career and highlighted the strength of their Indo-Kiwi pairing. Fans can expect much more from this duo in the global doubles circuit.
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