The Indian challenge at the ITF M25 Winston-Salem, USA, got off to a disappointing start as Aryan Shah and Dhakshineswar Suresh both suffered first-round exits in the men’s singles draw on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Entering the tournament with contrasting expectations, neither player was able to find rhythm or momentum against their respective opponents, underlining the unforgiving nature of the professional circuit at this level.
Aryan Shah, seeded No. 1 at the event, was expected to anchor India’s campaign in Winston-Salem. However, the top seed endured a frustrating afternoon as he went down to Britain’s Luca Pow in three sets. The scoreline reflected a match that slipped away from Shah after a promising middle phase, with Pow eventually closing out the contest 6–1, 4–6, 6–0.
The opening set saw Shah struggle to impose his game. Pow started aggressively, taking the ball early and repeatedly pushing Shah behind the baseline. The Indian player found it difficult to establish consistency on his serve and was broken early, allowing Pow to race through the first set. Shah responded well in the second, showing greater patience in rallies and improving his first-serve percentage. That adjustment paid dividends as he broke Pow’s serve and levelled the match, briefly shifting momentum in his favor.
However, the decider proved one-sided. Pow regained control immediately, breaking Shah in the opening game and never allowing the top seed a way back. Shah’s errors began to mount as Pow played freely, sealing the final set without dropping a game. For Shah, the defeat was particularly disappointing given his seeding and recent form, and it highlighted how quickly matches can turn at the ITF level if intensity drops even momentarily.
In the other first-round match involving an Indian, Dhakshineswar Suresh, seeded No. 7, faced a stern test against American Matthew Forbes. Suresh was unable to settle into the contest and was beaten in straight sets 6–1, 6–1, with Forbes dominating proceedings from the outset.
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Forbes dictated play with his serve and forehand, frequently putting Suresh under pressure on return games. The Indian struggled to hold serve, conceding breaks early in both sets. Despite moments where Suresh attempted to lengthen rallies and slow the tempo, Forbes remained in control, finishing points efficiently and capitalizing on short balls. The lopsided scoreline reflected Forbes’ superiority on the day, as well as Suresh’s inability to adapt to the conditions quickly enough.
For Dhakshineswar Suresh, the loss represents a setback after a period where he has shown encouraging signs on the Challenger and ITF circuits. Consistency remains a key challenge, particularly against opponents who are comfortable playing on home soil and using conditions to their advantage. Matches like these underline the fine margins that separate progress from early exits in professional tennis.
The twin defeats mean India’s singles campaign at the M25 Winston-Salem ends abruptly, offering little opportunity to build momentum or confidence at the event. While such results can be difficult to digest, they are also an inherent part of life on the ITF circuit, where players often travel week to week facing unfamiliar opponents, surfaces, and environments.
For Aryan Shah, the focus will now shift to regrouping quickly and addressing the lapses that proved costly in the decisive moments. As a top seed, expectations are inevitably higher, and converting that status into deep runs remains an ongoing challenge. For Suresh, the emphasis will be on rebuilding confidence, tightening service games, and finding consistency against aggressive opponents.
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Though Winston-Salem ended earlier than hoped for the Indian contingent, the broader season offers ample opportunities for both players to bounce back. At this level, resilience and the ability to learn from setbacks often prove as important as raw talent.
