Indian tennis found a new reason to celebrate on Saturday night as Dhakshineswar Suresh, a towering 6’5” presence on court, produced a commanding performance to defeat the higher-ranked Aidan Mayo of the United States in the first round of qualifying at the ATP 250 Winston-Salem Open.
The 25-year-old wildcard from India, currently ranked No. 663, upset the 8th seed Mayo (ranked No. 291) 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the final qualifying round. Suresh’s win was built on two pillars: a booming serve and a heavy forehand. Across the one-hour, 20-minute contest, he struck eight aces, consistently using his lefty-angled delivery to push Mayo off balance. His ability to back up those serves with aggressive forehands proved decisive, particularly when targeting Mayo’s weaker backhand wing.
From the outset, Suresh played with intent. Breaking Mayo early in the first set, he dictated the pace with his deep groundstrokes, often pinning the American into defensive positions. The second set followed a similar script, with Suresh earning a crucial break midway through and never relinquishing control. Despite Mayo’s attempts to extend rallies with slices and counterpunching, Suresh’s weight of shot and service consistency denied him any foothold.
It was a mature display from an emerging player still finding his way on the professional tour. “His forehand has been a treat to watch,” one observer noted, capturing the buzz that Suresh’s performance generated among the local crowd.
Building Momentum on Familiar Courts
The Winston-Salem Open holds special significance for Suresh. Having played collegiate tennis in the U.S., he has enjoyed considerable success on these courts. His professional record here now stands at 10–2, including strong showings in Challenger events and other lower-tier tournaments. This familiarity with conditions slightly slower hard courts that suit his heavy ball-striking proved crucial in helping him settle quickly against Mayo.
This victory also extends what has been a promising year for the Indian. After concluding his college season earlier in 2025, Suresh transitioned seamlessly into the pro circuit, making deep runs on the ITF Tour. He reached the semifinals of the M25 Dallas and added a couple of quarterfinal appearances at other ITF events. More significantly, his breakthrough came at the Lexington Challenger, where he reached the quarterfinals with impressive wins over Japan’s Naoki Nakagawa, Great Britain’s Billy Harris, and Estonia’s Mark Lajal. These results, combined with his victory in Winston-Salem, suggest that Suresh is beginning to find his rhythm on the tour, blending his raw power with greater consistency and tactical awareness.
For Mayo, once considered one of the bright American prospects, this loss continues a disappointing season. Ranked inside the top 300, the 20-year-old has struggled for form and results, with his only notable Challenger run this year coming in Cary. His forehand remains a reliable weapon, but his vulnerable backhand and inability to dictate rallies against heavy hitters have left him exposed.
Against Suresh, those frailties were clear. Although he covered the court well and attempted to use his slice to neutralize exchanges, he lacked the firepower to counter Suresh’s barrage. With losses piling up, Mayo will need to regroup quickly if he hopes to regain momentum on the tour.
A Bigger Test Awaits: Alejandro Tabilo
Suresh’s reward for his opening-round victory is a clash against Alejandro Tabilo of Chile, currently ranked No. 103 and once as high as World No. 19. On paper, it is a daunting challenge for the young Indian. Tabilo, known for his shot-making flair and quick court coverage, has been a staple on the ATP Tour and is vastly more experienced. However, recent circumstances tilt the scales slightly. Tabilo has been in patchy form since returning from injury, struggling to string together consistent results. He has also been relatively comfortable against big servers, a category into which Suresh comfortably fits.
With his powerful first serve and penetrating forehand, the Indian could well test the Chilean’s defenses. Another factor in Suresh’s favor is his record against left-handers. Historically, he has matched up well against southpaws, finding their patterns easier to counter with his aggressive baseline play. If he maintains the same composure and precision that dispatched Mayo, an upset against Tabilo cannot be ruled out.
For Indian men’s tennis, victories like this carry symbolic weight. With Rohan Bopanna nearing the twilight of his doubles career and no singles player consistently breaking into the top 100 in recent years, there is a pressing need for fresh faces to make their mark on the ATP Tour. Suresh, with his combination of size, serve, and baseline power, fits the mold of a modern hard-court player.
While he is still raw and developing, his results in the U.S. this season suggest he could be one to watch in the coming years. A win over a top-100 opponent like Tabilo would be a statement of intent and could open doors to main-draw appearances at ATP Tour events and potentially Grand Slam qualifiers. Dhakshineswar Suresh’s straight-sets victory over Aidan Mayo at the Winston-Salem Open qualifying is more than just an upset it is a glimpse of the potential that Indian tennis fans have long been hoping to see.
With his lethal serve, booming forehand, and growing confidence on familiar courts, Suresh has the tools to compete at a higher level. His next test against Alejandro Tabilo will be a significant step up, but given the Chilean’s inconsistent form, the door is not closed. Regardless of the result, this run reflects a player beginning to believe he belongs on the ATP stage. For Indian tennis, that belief could be the start of something special.
