Billy Harris Advances to Semifinals at Bengaluru Open 2025

BENGALURU, India — In a thrilling encounter at the KSLTA courts on Friday, February 28, 2025, World No. 110 Billy Harris edged past Australia’s Tristan Schoolkate, securing a spot in the singles semifinals of the Bengaluru Open with a score of 6-2, 1-6, 7-5.

The 30-year-old Harris, known for his baseline-driven first-strike tennis, faced the 24-year-old Schoolkate, who employed a serve-and-volley style. Their match captivated a sparse yet enthusiastic crowd for nearly two hours, showcasing a clash of contrasting styles.

Harris began the match strongly, breaking Schoolkate twice to take the first set 6-2. However, Schoolkate responded with vigor, utilizing his net game to dominate the second set 6-1. Despite Harris’s early struggles in the final set, he mounted a comeback after falling behind 3-1, exhibiting remarkable resilience.

“In the deciding set, both of us were really pushing each other,” Harris said post-match. “I’m just happy to come through in the end.”

As the match progressed, tension heightened with both players facing pressure situations. In pivotal moments, Harris saved a crucial match point while exhibiting his powerful serve. In a defining moment, he struck a stunning down-the-line winner to earn his first match point, sealing the match with another aggressive return.

With this victory, Harris will face American Brandon Holt in the semifinals, who advanced after defeating Russian Petr Bar Biryukov 6-4, 6-4. Harris expressed his eagerness for the upcoming challenge. “I’ve seen Brandon play, and I know it will be tough, but I’m ready,” he added.

In doubles action, top seeds Anirudh Chandrasekar and Taipei’s Ray Ho triumphed over the unseeded duo of Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan with a score of 6-4, 2-6, [10-8] to advance to the final. They will meet the second-seeded Australian pairing of Blake Bayldon and Matthew Christopher Romios, who defeated Siddhant Banthia and Parikshit Somani 6-3, 7-6(6).

Earlier in the quarterfinals, Shintaro Mochizuki of Japan eliminated Czech qualifier Hynek Barton with a score of 7-6(5), 6-3, while James McCabe staged a comeback against Colombia’s Nicolas Mejia, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

The excitement continues at the Bengaluru Open, where players are vying for the title and valuable ranking points.