Indian Tennis Round-up: Karan Singh and D Suresh into Semis, Digvijay Bows Out, A Strong Week on the ITF Circuit
Indian tennis enjoyed an encouraging week across three ITF tournaments on three different continents, with two players advancing to the semifinals and another narrowly missing out after a hard-fought battle. From Tunisia to the United States and South Africa, Indian players showcased grit, consistency, and flashes of dominance, keeping the tricolour flying high on the international circuit.
Suresh Dhakshineswar Shines in Dallas
Dhakshineswar Suresh, better known as DK Suresh among tennis followers, produced a composed and clinical performance to move into the semifinals of the M25 Dallas ITF Men’s event in the United States. Up against the eighth-seeded Japanese player Leo Vithoontien, Suresh played one of his best matches of the season, wrapping up a straight-sets win 6-2, 6-3 in just 68 minutes.
Ranked 872 in the world, the 25-year-old Indian outclassed his higher-ranked opponent (world no. 736) with a solid baseline game and dependable serve. The result marks Suresh’s third professional singles semifinal and his first at the more competitive M25 level, which will be a big boost to his confidence and ranking points.
“DK Suresh smoked Leo Vithoontien in straight sets. Served well as usual, and his baseline game was too good today. He has been moving well on the court and looks in good shape,” said an observer after the match. Next, Suresh faces the challenge of either Alex Rybakov (USA) or Daniel Magadan (USA) in the semifinal, but his form suggests he is ready to compete.
This week’s performance reflects the steady improvement in Suresh’s game. His ability to combine aggressive baseline hitting with smart point construction has made him a tricky opponent, particularly on hard courts like Dallas.
Karan Singh Dominates in Tunisia
Meanwhile, in North Africa, India’s top-seeded Karan Singh justified his seeding with a ruthless display at the M15 Monastir 27 ITF Men’s event in Tunisia. Singh took only 68 minutes to dismiss French opponent Maxence Bertimon 6-3, 6-0, sealing a semifinal berth.
Ranked 437 in the world, Singh delivered a near-flawless performance, especially in the second set, where he handed his opponent a ‘bagel’ by not conceding a single game. His power-packed serve and solid groundstrokes gave Bertimon little chance to find rhythm.
For Singh, this run to the semifinals further cements his status as one of India’s promising young players on the ITF circuit. Having reached several deep runs at M15 events this season, Singh now looks poised to push for higher-level tournaments in the coming months.
More than the scoreline, what impressed observers was Singh’s composure and willingness to step inside the baseline and finish points early. In modern tennis, where aggressive play is rewarded, Singh’s approach is a promising sign as he continues to climb the rankings.
Digvijay Singh Battles Hard in South Africa
In South Africa, it was a contrasting story for Digvijay Singh, who despite putting up a determined fight, bowed out in the quarterfinals of the M15 Hillcrest ITF Men’s event. Facing South Africa’s Philip Henning, Digvijay fell short 6-7(6), 2-6 in a contest that stretched to 111 minutes.
The first set was particularly tense, with Digvijay matching Henning shot for shot before narrowly losing in the tie-break 6-8. The momentum shifted in Henning’s favour in the second set, and Digvijay couldn’t recover, though he fought valiantly until the end.
Despite the defeat, the match showed Digvijay’s competitive spirit and his ability to take the contest deep against strong local opposition. Such battles are essential learning experiences on the circuit and will help him refine his tactical and mental game in tight situations.
A Promising Week for Indian Tennis
With two players advancing to the semifinals in events held thousands of kilometres apart, this week highlights the growing depth in Indian men’s tennis beyond the ATP Tour’s usual faces. Dhakshineswar Suresh’s landmark achievement of reaching his first M25 semifinal and Karan Singh’s commanding performance in Monastir stand out as big positives.
While Digvijay Singh couldn’t extend his run, his performance against Henning showed resilience, something every player needs to sustain a long ITF season.
As Indian tennis fans look ahead, all eyes will now be on the semifinals: Suresh facing a tough American opponent and Karan Singh looking to keep his momentum alive in Tunisia. The broader takeaway, though, is clear — Indian players are competing with belief and quality, and with continued exposure and support, more titles and breakthroughs could follow.
Indian tennis still has a long journey to re-establish itself at the top levels of global tennis, but weeks like this prove that the next generation is willing to put in the work, travel the world, and earn results.
Great week for Indian tennis with two semifinalists already! 💪🇮🇳
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