On the upswing with a last-four finish at the US Open, Bhambri finds ways to grow

Yuki Bhambri’s accessories have increased over the years. When ona tennis court, he wears a strap on his elbow, both ankles have braces, and his right knee is taped up. “They're as important as my tennis racquets,” he said, over the phone.

- Shahid Judge

They are constant reminders of the injury-plagued journey he has had. But for a player with the game he has — an aggressive, clean-hitter with undeniable court craft—he still has a place in the bigger tournaments in tennis Once a formidable singles player, the injuries pushed him into the doubles stream.

But there too he has carved a solid place for himself. And at the US Open that ended earlier this month, Bhambri reached the semifinal ofa Grand Slam for the first time in his career. “This was a big step forward for me in making the semifinal of a Slam,” said the 33-year-old from New Delhi, who partnered New Zealand's Michael Venus in New York.

“Tdon't think a player is really satisfied unless they win the whole thing. I'm happy that things went well. But Ido want to keep putting myself in those positions and better the performances, and be more consistent with them.”