India, March 4 -- Yuki Bhambri was beaming as he held the ATP Dubai Open trophy in his arms. In all his years as a professional tennis player, the doubles title he won at the weekend partnering Australia's Alexei Popyrin was the biggest he has achieved.

And with the glittering trophy - a silver boat sitting atop a plinth - Bhambri sailed into the world doubles top 40 for the first time.

"I made the semi-finals in Doha (a week prior). You sort of know that you're getting close but just not close enough to winning the title," he tells HT. "I think this (win) was a very, very big one for me. It was a nice feeling to be able to get my hands on the trophy."

Jumping up five places in the ranking ladder, the 32-year-old from New Delhi is now ...