Defying Melbourne’s oppressive heat, Yuki Bhambri and Andre Goransson scripted a comeback masterpiece at Australian Open 2026, edging Santiago Gonzalez and David Pel 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 in men’s doubles second round.
Trailing after an early service break, a heat-induced halt at 2-2 galvanized the 10th seeds. Bhambri, India’s doubles mainstay, orchestrated a tie-break steal and third-set breaks, preserving every hold.
This propels Bhambri to his first AO men’s doubles third round since 2014 alongside Michael Venus, capping a year topped by US Open semis. Balaji’s ouster positions him as India’s last hope.
Sriram Balaji and Neil Oberleitner, wildcard warriors who shocked Herbert-Thompson initially, suffered a 7-5, 6-1 drubbing from Arevalo-Pavic.
Bhambri’s poise under duress highlights his evolution, fueling optimism for deeper Grand Slam penetration from Indian tennis.