Qatar Open: Bhambri-Dodig stage sensational comeback to stun World No.1 pair

India’s Yuki Bhambri and Croatia’s Ivan Dodig pulled off a remarkable comeback to defeat top-seeded Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic in the ATP 500 Qatar Open quarterfinals, on Thursday.

The unseeded duo won five consecutive points from 5-8 down in the deciding super tiebreak to clinch a thrilling 2-6, 6-3, 10-8 victory in Doha.

Bhambri and Dodig struggled early as Pavic and Arevalo dominated the first set. However, the Indo-Croatian pair found their rhythm in the second set, breaking their higher-ranked opponents to force a decider.

In the match tiebreak, they staged a stunning turnaround, winning five points in a row from 5-8 to seal their place in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Rohan Bopanna’s journey in the tournament came to an end.

The Indian veteran, partnering with Portugal’s Nuno Borges, suffered a hard-fought defeat against the British duo of Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool.

Despite winning the second set in a tiebreak, Bopanna and Borges lost 4-6, 7-6(7), 7-10 in the super tiebreak.

With Bopanna’s exit, India’s hopes in the doubles event now rest on Bhambri and Dodig, who will look to continue their strong run in the semifinals.