Bhambri and Goransson Cruise Past Local Favorites into Australian Open Round 2
The 10th-seeded pair of Yuki Bhambri (IND) and Andre Goransson (SWE) delivered a clinical performance at the 2026 Australian Open, defeating Australian wildcards James Duckworth and Cruz Hewitt in straight sets.
Despite a vocal home crowd supporting the local duo, which featured Cruz Hewitt, the 17-year-old son of tennis icon Lleyton Hewitt, the Indo-Swedish pair remained unfazed, securing a 6-3, 6-4 victory in just 57 minutes. Bhambri and Goransson dropped just two points on serve today.
Match Breakdown: 10th Seeds in Command
| Stat | Bhambri / Goransson | Duckworth / Hewitt |
| First Set | 6-3 | One decisive break in the 8th game. |
| Second Set | 6-4 | Controlled from the baseline; break in 7th game. |
| Service Games | 8/10 won to love | Struggled to find rhythm against seeds. |
Milestone for Yuki Bhambri
This victory marks a significant personal milestone for Yuki Bhambri. By reaching the Round of 32 (R32) in Melbourne, Bhambri achieves his best doubles result at the Australian Open in over a decade.
- Flashback: The last time Bhambri reached this stage in Melbourne was in 2014, where he eventually progressed to the Third Round alongside Michael Venus.
- Current Form: Coming off a stellar 2025 season where he reached the US Open semi-finals, Bhambri enters 2026 at a career-high doubles ranking.
Focus on Cruz Hewitt
The match drew significant attention due to the Grand Slam main draw debut of Cruz Hewitt. While the young Aussie showed flashes of his father’s trademark grit, the experience and serving precision of the 10th seeds proved too much for the wildcard pairing to overcome.
What’s Next?
Bhambri and Goransson will face the winner of the match between:
- Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) / David Pel (NED) OR
- Marcelo Melo (BRA) / Fernando Romboli (BRA)
Photos from the match below:
Photos by Muzammil Madani for ITD
