Indian tennis player Dhakshineswar Suresh, ranked 788 in the ATP rankings, delivered the biggest win of his professional career so far by stunning Estonia’s Mark Lajal (ATP #147) in the Round of 16 at the Lexington Challenger in the United States.
In a closely contested three-set battle, Suresh prevailed 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4 to reach his first-ever ATP Challenger quarterfinal, marking back-to-back victories over top-150 players and signaling his growing maturity on the circuit.
Rising Through the Draw
Suresh’s run in Lexington has been built on confidence and momentum. Coming into the match, he had already claimed solid wins over Sho Shimabukuro in qualifying, followed by victories against Ryota Nakagawa, Andre Ilagan, and a notable first-round upset over Britain’s Billy Harris. Against Harris known for his strong serve Suresh showed patience and tactical depth, which he carried forward against Lajal.
Lajal, meanwhile, arrived in Lexington fresh off his maiden Challenger title at Bloomfield Hills just a week earlier, where he also defeated seasoned campaigner Lloyd Harris. Ranked inside the top 150 and armed with a big serve and heavy forehand, Lajal was widely tipped to continue his run.
The Match: Momentum Swings and Mental Resilience
The first set lived up to expectations: both players dominated behind their serves, producing a classic hard-court tussle where break-point chances were rare. Lajal edged the tiebreak 7-4, showing why he had lifted a title just days before.
But Suresh, rather than faltering, raised his level. In the second set, games stayed on serve until 4-4. That was when Suresh produced a critical breakthrough, increasing his aggression on the return. The Indian broke Lajal’s serve, then confidently served out the set 6-4.
The final set saw Lajal struggling physically and mentally, reflected in a costly sequence: at 4-4, Lajal produced five double faults in a single game, gifting Suresh the decisive break. Suresh then held his nerve to close out the set and match, sealing a career-best victory.
What Clicked for DK Suresh
Suresh’s game has long been known for his powerful serve, and Lexington’s faster courts played to that strength. But what truly made the difference was his improved return game, especially under pressure. Against Lajal, he showed discipline in long rallies and the ability to capitalize when Lajal’s second serve wavered.
His mental toughness also stood out. Even after dropping a tight first set, Suresh stayed composed and found ways to build pressure, rather than allowing frustration to creep in.
Dhakshineswar Suresh Wins Round 1 with biggest career win at Lexington Challenger
Reaching a first Challenger quarterfinal is a major milestone for Suresh. Ranked outside the top 750, he has now earned consecutive wins over top-150 players (Billy Harris and Mark Lajal), which should boost both his ATP ranking and his confidence. Such results suggest Suresh is capable of stepping up to the next level if he continues refining his return game and maintaining the same tactical discipline.
His next challenge will be against the winner of the match between Japan’s Rio Sakamoto and American Eliot Spizziri both strong opponents, but Suresh will step onto the court with renewed self-belief.
Suresh’s Lexington campaign shows that he is not merely a player with a big serve but also one who can construct points smartly, handle pressure, and challenge higher-ranked opponents. His ability to stay in rallies, pick the right moments to attack, and manage his nerves bodes well for future tournaments. From here, it will be about consistency turning these breakthrough results into regular deep runs. But for now, this win over Mark Lajal, fresh off a title and in form, is a statement: DK Suresh is a name to watch on the Challenger circuit.
If Suresh keeps serving well and maintains the same aggressive return approach, he could edge past Sakamoto or Spizziri in another tight contest and continue this impressive Lexington journey.
