Bopanna and Qureshi, friends whose countries have engaged in three major wars and remain in dispute over the Kashmir region, have spent much of 2010 using their doubles partnership to try to improve relations between their countries.

They have made strides to become a top-flight doubles team this year and have used their recent success to espouse their message of peace. The presence of Puri and Haroon in the stands of Louis Armstrong Stadium suggests their message is being heard.

“It was a beautiful thing to see,” Qureshi said.

After the match, the players spoke with the ambassadors, who encouraged them to continue in their diplomatic endeavors and promised to attend the final on Friday.

“If we both can get along,” Bopanna said, “why can’t they, as well?”

Bopanna and Qureshi first played together in 2003 but did not become devoted teammates until this year, when they played under the slogan “Stop War, Start Tennis.” They are each 30 years old and are working to promote understanding and tolerance in their countries, but they do not profess to be similar.