MELBOURNE, Australia – Indian tennis star Yuki Bhambri, paired with Swedish partner Andre Goransson, powered into the second round of the Australian Open 2026 men’s doubles event with a commanding victory on Wednesday. The 10th-seeded Indo-Swedish duo dismantled local wild cards James Duckworth and Cruz Hewitt 6-3, 6-4 in just 57 minutes at Melbourne Park.
From the outset, Bhambri and Goransson dictated the tempo, showcasing near-flawless serving. In the opening set, they won four of five service games without dropping a point, conceding just one in the ninth. A single break in the eighth game sealed the set decisively.
The momentum carried seamlessly into the second set, where the pair repeated their dominance, holding four service games point-perfect. A crucial break in the seventh game propelled them to victory, underlining their synergy and precision under pressure.
Next up in the round of 16, Bhambri-Goransson await the winners of the clash between Mexico’s Santiago Gonzalez and Netherlands’ David Pel and Brazil’s Marcelo Melo-Marcelo Romboli. This marks a strong continuation of their form following a semifinal run at last year’s US Open.
Bhambri’s best prior Australian Open showing came in 2014, reaching the third round with New Zealand’s Michael Venus. Meanwhile, he gears up for mixed doubles action alongside 2018 Wimbledon champion Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the USA, facing China’s sixth seeds Zhang Shuai and Germany’s Tim Puetz on Thursday.
In other Indian results, Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha exited in the first round, falling 7-6(3), 7-5 with Thai partner Pruchya Isaro to Spain’s Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar.
As the tournament heats up, Bhambri’s deep run could signal a breakout moment on the grand slam stage, blending experience with explosive Indo-Swedish firepower.