Yuki Bhambri reaches new high, in semis

Dubai, February 29

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Yuki Bhambri entered the men’s doubles semifinals of an ATP 500 tournament for the first as the 32-year-old Indian and Netherlands’ Robin Hasse upset third seeds Jamie Murray and Michael Venus in the Dubai Championships here today.

Bhambri and Hasse, who came through qualifying to earn a spot in the main draw, produced a remarkable performance to beat Britain’s Murray and New Zealand’s Venus 6-4 7-6(1) in one hour and 22 minutes. Bhambri and Hasse saved nine break points, while taking the one opportunity that came their way.

In the semifinal, to be played tomorrow, Bhambri and Hasse will face the second-seeded pairing of Ivan Dodig (Croatia) and Austin Krajicek (USA).

However, there was disappointment in store for the Australian Open men’s doubles winning pair of India’s Rohan Bopanna and Australia’s Matthew Ebden, who lost in the quarterfinals.

The top-seeded pair of Bopanna and Ebden began well but their opponents, Uruguay’s Ariel Behar and Czech Republic’s Adam Pavlasek, came from behind to win 3-6 6-3 10-8 in a match lasting one hour and 11 minutes. Behar and Pavlasek made a late rally to win the final four points of their clash.

In Acapulco, Alex de Minaur continued his imperious form at the Mexican Open as the No. 3 seed Australian beat Austrian Sebastian Ofner 6-1, 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals of the ATP

500 event. — Agencies