US Open 2023 Highlights: Yuki Bhambri/Marcelo Demoliner lose to Jan Zielenski/Hugo Nys in opening encounter

Welcome to the Khel Now's live blog for the Yuki Bhambri/Marcelo Demoliner vs Jan Zielenski/Hugo Nys men's doubles round 1 match in US Open 2023.

The US Open 2023 has got off to a fine start with the opening few days registering quite a few upsets. The doubles action however started yesterday (August 31st) and the Indo-Australian pair of Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden registered a straight sets win over inexperienced Aussie pair, Aleksander Vukic and Christopher O'Connell. Two more Indian players in the men's doubles will be opening their campaign today at the US Open with one among of them, Yuki Bhambri partnering alongside Brazil's Marcelo Demoliner.

The newly-formed pair will be up against ninth-seeded Polish pair Jan Zielinski and Hugo Nys. Jan Zielinski in particular has not had a good start to the tournament, losing in the opening round in the mixed doubles section with Lyudmyla Kichenok.

Preview

India's No. 2 men's doubles player Yuki Bhambri has had a inconsistent run since winning the title at Mallorca Open. After finishing as a quarter-finalist in Atlanta, Yuki Bhambri split with partner Saketh Myneni and since has played only one tournament with Ben McLachlan at the Los Cabos Open. Yuki and Saketh reached the top-70 after playing together for close to 18 months. Yuki went a step further by reaching the top-60 post his maiden ATP title triumph at the Mallorca Open.

Yuki Bhambri, 30, however will partner Marcelo Demonliner at the US Open 2023. The Brazilian, since the Wimbledon Championships, has majorly partnered Mattwe Middelkoop. The pair had enjoyed good success - reaching the final of the Swiss Open and the semifinals of the Winston Salem Open but have spilt up for US Open.

The Opponents

Jan Zielinski and Hugo Nys are currently not in the best of form, having not won a single title post the French Open. The Polish pair's last major triumph was at the Italian Open on the clay courts. Jan Zielinski and Hugo Nys reached Round 2 and 3 at the French and Wimbledon Championships respectively and in both Grand Slams lost to lower seeded pairs.

However, the pair received some success by reaching the semifinals of Winston Salem Open two weeks prior to US Open.

Head-to-Head 

This will be the first time both pairs will meet each other.

Prediction

The Polish pair of Jan Zielinski and Hugo Nys will go in as the favourites to win the opening round match in men's doubles. However, one thing which can go against them is handling pressure situations. Jan Zielinski and Hugo Nys have not had good results this year at the Grand Slams.

On the other hand, both Yuki and Demoliner need to combine well from the start. Yuki Bhambri has struggled with service games, which needs to be taken care of by Demoniler when he returns the third service game at the near court.