India’s rising tennis talent Dhakshineswar Suresh continued his impressive run on the ATP Challenger circuit, defeating American Alex Rybakov in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, to move into the second round of the ATP 75 Lincoln Challenger.
Playing with controlled aggression and strategic poise, the 25-year-old Indian displayed solid mental composure to overturn an early deficit in the second set, completing one of his finest Challenger-level wins of the year. The victory not only avenged his semifinal loss to Rybakov earlier this season in Dallas but also reaffirmed Suresh’s growing confidence and maturity on hard courts.
Facing a higher-ranked opponent in Rybakov (ATP #261), Suresh (ATP #555) came into the match as the underdog on paper. But form and momentum were clearly on his side the Indian had recently lifted the ITF M15 Winston-Salem title, and his growing belief showed right from the opening games.
The first set was tightly contested, with both players serving big and looking to dictate from the baseline. Suresh fired 8 aces and won 70% of his first-serve points, using his powerful delivery to keep Rybakov at bay. Despite a few errant forehands early on, Suresh grew into the match, mixing up pace and angles effectively.
A crucial break at 4-4 swung the momentum his way. Suresh capitalized on a double fault from Rybakov and followed it up with a pinpoint backhand pass to secure the break. Serving for the set, the Indian delivered two aces and closed it out confidently, 6-4.
Turning the Tables in Set Two
The second set began with a shaky start for Suresh, as Rybakov raced to a 3-0 lead. The American began stepping inside the baseline, targeting Suresh’s second serve and forcing him into uncomfortable rallies. However, this phase of the match would reveal Suresh’s growing resilience as a competitor. Instead of panicking, he adjusted tactically shortening points and returning more aggressively. A brilliant forehand down the line helped him break back in the fourth game, and from there, he regained rhythm behind his first serve. Suresh’s ability to produce clutch tennis under pressure saving 8 of 9 break points (89%) was key to turning the tide.
Once back on level terms, the Indian dictated exchanges with heavy topspin and clever use of depth, drawing errors from Rybakov’s backhand. At 4-4, Suresh broke once again, showcasing excellent anticipation on a 20-shot rally capped by a forehand winner. He sealed the match in the very next game, holding serve at love to wrap up a 6-4, 6-4 victory in just under 90 minutes. The numbers tell the story of a composed and efficient performance. Suresh served at 58% first serves in, matching Rybakov’s accuracy but winning a higher share of both his first-serve points (70%) and second-serve points (55%).
The key difference came in the return games. Suresh won 36% of first-serve return points and an impressive 55% of second-serve return points, putting constant pressure on the American’s service games. His conversion rate on break points (3 out of 7) proved decisive compared to Rybakov’s 1 out of 9.
These numbers underline Suresh’s balance between offense and defence his ability to stay aggressive without over-pressing.
Avenging the Dallas Defeat
This result carries extra meaning for Suresh. Earlier this season, at the Dallas Challenger, he had lost to Rybakov in the semifinals a match where he had his chances but fell short in the closing stages. This time, he reversed the script. Suresh’s body language remained composed even after losing early games in the second set, a sign of his mental growth. It’s that renewed belief that’s driving his steady rise in 2025.
Suresh’s 2025 season has been his breakthrough year. With a 21–7 win-loss record, he’s become one of India’s most consistent performers on the international circuit. His title win in Winston-Salem last month was his second ITF crown of the year, and his confidence has only grown since. What makes Suresh particularly dangerous on indoor and hard courts is his huge serve a weapon that allows him to control play early in rallies. Combined with a compact two-handed backhand and improved movement, he’s quickly developing into a reliable competitor at the Challenger level.
Next Challenge: Alfredo Pérez Awaits
In the second round, Suresh will face Alfredo Pérez (ATP #331) of the United States, who defeated Kazakhstan’s Dmitry Popko (ATP #219) 6–4, 6–4 in his opening match. Pérez, a powerful left-hander, has made four Challenger quarterfinals this season and will test Suresh’s return and defensive range. Their clash promises to be a battle of big servers both players rely heavily on pace and first-strike tennis. For Suresh, maintaining his serve consistency and cutting down baseline errors will be crucial if he hopes to continue his run in Lincoln.
A win over Pérez would mark another significant milestone for Suresh, potentially pushing him closer to breaking into the ATP Top 500 a target well within reach given his recent form. With confidence high and his game trending upward, the Indian looks poised to make a deeper push into Challenger draws in the coming months. For now, his Lincoln campaign has already brought a statement win one that signals the growing depth of Indian men’s tennis at the Challenger level.
Match Summary: Dhakshineswar Suresh (IND) def. Alex Rybakov (USA) 6–4, 6–4
- Aces: 8
- Break Points Converted: 3/7
- Break Points Saved: 8/9 (89%)
- 1st Serve Points Won: 70%
- 2nd Serve Points Won: 55%
Next Opponent: Alfredo Pérez (USA) 🇺🇸
