India, Sept. 5 -- India's Yuki Bhambri came agonisingly close to a Grand Slam final, bowing out in the semifinals of the US Open men's doubles after a hard-fought battle alongside his partner Michael Venus of New Zealand. The Indo-Kiwi pair lost 7-6 (2) 6-7 (5) 4-6 to sixth seeds Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury in a gripping three-set contest.

Despite the defeat, Bhambri walked away with a historic achievement. The 33-year-old became only the sixth Indian man in the Open era to reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam doubles event. He now joins the elite company of Anand Amritraj, Vijay Amritraj, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna.

For Bhambri, who once had promising singles ambitions before injuries derailed his path, the semi...