Yuki Bhambri’s 2018 BNP Paribas Open campaign at Indian Wells was one of his career’s defining moments. Though his run ended in the third round, he left a mark with his fighting spirit and impressive victories.
Bhambri, then ranked 110th in the world, entered the tournament through the qualifiers. In the main draw, he kicked things off with a win over Frenchman Nicolas Mahut, marking his first victory at a Masters 1000 event. This was just the beginning.
His second-round upset was nothing short of sensational. Bhambri stunned the world No. 12, Lucas Pouille, in a straight-sets victory. This was considered his biggest career win at the time.
Lucas Pouille was one of the most consistent performers on the ATP circuit between 2016 to 2020. He won five titles of the nine he reached between 2016 to 2019. A regular feature of the Top 20 during this period, Pouille had yet another red-hot start to his 2018 season. The Frenchman had won the title at Montpellier and had runner-up finishes in Marseille and Dubai. All geared up for Indian Wells, the World No.12 was the ninth seed at the hard court Masters event.
Meanwhile, Yuki Bhambri was hustling to break back into the Top 100. A runner-up finish at the Chennai Challenger inched him closer to his goal. He was ranked No.110 before Indian Wells and was registered for the qualifying draw.
The momentum carried Bhambri into the third round, where he faced the American big server Sam Querrey, seeded 18th. The Indian put up a valiant effort, even edging out the first set in a tiebreaker. However, Querrey’s powerful serve proved too much to handle in the end, as Bhambri fell short in three sets.
Despite the defeat, Bhambri’s run was a huge success. He earned plaudits for his fighting spirit and his ability to challenge top players. The win over Pouille significantly boosted his ranking, and the prize money and points from reaching the third round provided a valuable boost to his career.
Bhambri’s 2018 Indian Wells campaign remains a significant milestone in Indian tennis. It showcased his potential and served as a stepping stone for his future endeavors on the court.
