India’s top seed Manas Dhamne capped a dominant week at the ITF M15 Zahra in Kuwait with a composed 7-5, 6-3 victory over Monaco’s Rocco Piatti in the men’s singles final on Center Court.
The 1-hour, 41-minute contest was a study in control under pressure, as Dhamne absorbed momentum swings and closed out both sets with authority to secure the title. The opening set followed a tight script. Both players held serve comfortably in the early exchanges, with Dhamne looking to dictate through his forehand while Piatti relied on depth and first-strike tennis. At 4-4, Piatti raised his intensity and broke to move 5-4 ahead, putting himself in position to serve for the set.
Dhamne’s response defined the match. He immediately broke back, neutralising Piatti’s advantage with aggressive returns and deep baseline exchanges. From 5-5, the Indian elevated his first-serve percentage and stepped inside the court to control rallies. He broke again at 6-5, converting his opportunity with measured aggression to seal the set 7-5.
The numbers reflected the balance: neither player gave away cheap points, and service holds were often clean. But the key difference was Dhamne’s ability to convert late-set pressure into scoreboard movement.
Momentum Swings in the Second
Piatti opened the second set with renewed purpose, breaking early to go 2-0 up. He consolidated for 3-1 and then 5-2, briefly threatening to force a decider. At that stage, Dhamne appeared under scoreboard pressure for the first time in the match.
Dhamne held for 4-1, then tightened his return positioning. From 5-2 up, he began reading Piatti’s serve more effectively, especially on second deliveries. The Indian won extended baseline exchanges, forcing Piatti into defensive positions and drawing errors at critical junctures. At 5-2, Piatti broke to extend the set but faltered under pressure.
Dhamne controlled the second set completely and won it 6-3. His ability to manage transitions switching from defence to offence mid-rally proved decisive. Piatti, who had earlier controlled tempo with proactive play, struggled to regain rhythm as Dhamne absorbed pace and redirected angles with precision.
Tactical Superiority Under Pressure
Across both sets, Dhamne’s tactical clarity stood out. He consistently targeted Piatti’s backhand corner to open the court, then finished points with inside-out forehands. On return games, he mixed depth with occasional short angles to disrupt Piatti’s baseline positioning.
Statistically, the match showcased Dhamne’s composure in high-leverage moments. While Piatti had opportunities to extend the contest, particularly when leading in the second set, Dhamne’s conversion rate on break points proved superior.
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Dhamne’s run to the title underlined his consistency throughout the week. Entering as the top seed, he justified that billing with measured performances round after round. The final tested his resilience more than earlier matches, especially during the mid-second-set deficit, but his response highlighted growing maturity on the professional circuit.
For Piatti, the final represented a strong campaign despite the defeat. He showed attacking intent and held the initiative for significant stretches. However, in ITF-level finals, matches often hinge on a handful of points, and Dhamne managed those phases more effectively.
This title reinforces Dhamne’s upward trajectory on the ITF circuit. Winning in straight sets after navigating momentum shifts reflects improved match management an essential attribute for transitioning from Futures-level consistency to Challenger-level competitiveness. The 7-5, 6-3 scoreline may suggest control, but the match narrative was layered: scoreboard pressure, mid-set recovery, and disciplined execution in closing games. Dhamne handled each phase without visible fluctuation in body language or shot selection.
On Center Court in Zahra, it was not just about winning points; it was about winning the right points at the right time.
With this title, Manas Dhamne adds another ITF trophy to his résumé and signals readiness for tougher stages ahead. The composure displayed in the final particularly the five-game surge to close the second set may well be remembered as the defining passage of his week in Kuwait.
