Melbourne’s heat couldn’t melt Yuki Bhambri’s determination as he and Andre Goransson battled past Santiago Gonzalez and David Pel 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 to reach the men’s doubles third round at Australian Open 2026. The Indian-Swedish pair, seeded 10th, turned the tide after a shaky start, becoming the last Indians standing in the tournament.
A slow beginning saw Bhambri’s serve crumble early, handing the first set to their opponents. With the score locked at 2-2 in the second, play paused due to blistering conditions—a decision that sparked their revival. Bhambri, ranked 22nd in ATP doubles, and Goransson never faced a break point afterward, mastering the tie-break and pouncing in the third set with two service breaks.
For Bhambri, a former junior Australian Open champion, this is a landmark moment. It’s his first third-round berth here in men’s doubles since teaming with Michael Venus in 2014. His standout Grand Slam was reaching the US Open semis last year with the same partner.
Contrastingly, Sriram Balaji’s campaign fizzled out. The Indian, paired with Neil Oberleitner as late replacements, had pulled off a first-round shocker against Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Jordan Thompson. But fourth seeds Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic proved too strong, winning 7-5, 6-1.
Bhambri’s grit under pressure highlights his evolution as a doubles specialist. With Balaji out, all eyes turn to the seasoned campaigner to carry India’s banner forward in the doubles fray.