The ATP 125 Bengaluru Open is fast turning into a coming-of-age stage for Manas Dhamne, and Wednesday’s Round of 16 win only reinforced that sense.
The 18-year-old Indian wildcard produced another composed, high-quality performance to knock out Beibit Zhukayev of Kazakhstan, ranked 277 in the world, winning 6–2, 3–6, 6–2 to move into the quarter-finals of the tournament. For Dhamne, currently ranked 556, this was his second-best career win in terms of opponent ranking, coming just a round after his career-best victory over ATP 231 Matej Dodig of Croatia. Two wins against players inside the top 300 in the space of 48 hours is not a coincidence; it is a statement.
A Controlled Performance Against Power
Zhukayev arrived in Bengaluru with a clear reputation. The Kazakh relies heavily on a big serve and first-strike tennis, a game style that often becomes even more dangerous at altitude. Early on, it appeared Manas would have his hands full. But what stood out from the opening games was the Indian teenager’s calmness on return and his ability to absorb pace before redirecting it. Manas took the first set 6–2, breaking Zhukayev twice by consistently neutralising the serve and forcing longer baseline exchanges. His return position was smart, his timing clean, and his movement already considered one of his strongest attributes allowed him to stay balanced even when pulled wide.
Zhukayev raised his level in the second set, serving with greater accuracy and stepping inside the court more aggressively. The Kazakh took the set 6–3, aided by a slight dip in Manas’ first-serve percentage. For a brief phase, the momentum swung. What followed, however, was arguably the most impressive part of Dhamne’s performance.
Decider Shows Physical and Mental Growth
In the third set, Manas reset quickly. He broke early, consolidated with confident service games, and began to dictate rallies with depth rather than sheer power. His forehand penetration, something that has steadily improved over the past year, allowed him to open up the court, while his backhand held firm under pressure. Zhukayev took a medical timeout for a leg issue, though the treatment was not visible. Regardless, Manas remained focused, serving out the match professionally to close the decider 6–2.
Perhaps the most encouraging takeaway was not just the quality of tennis, but the physical resilience. Manas has now won back-to-back three-set matches, an area that had previously been flagged as a concern. In earlier seasons, his intensity sometimes dropped in deciding sets. In Bengaluru, it has been the opposite—his energy levels and clarity of decision-making have improved as matches progress.
That points to significant work behind the scenes, particularly in conditioning.
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This run will see Manas enter the ATP Top 500 for the first time, an important milestone in any young player’s career. Rankings aside, the quality of opponents beaten this week offers a clearer indicator of where his game is heading.
- Defeated Matej Dodig (ATP 231)—career-best win
- Defeated Beibit Zhukayev (ATP 277)—second-best career win
- Two wins over established Challenger-level players
- Quarter-final berth at an ATP 125 event at just 18
These are not developmental Futures-level results. They are Challenger wins earned through sustained baseline exchanges, tactical clarity, and increasing confidence on serve.
Quarter-Final Challenge Ahead
Manas will next face Matteo Martineau of France, ranked 319, who reached the quarter-finals after upsetting ATP 174 Jay Clarke in the opening round. Martineau’s career-high ranking of 170 in 2024 suggests experience and adaptability, particularly in longer rallies.
For Manas, the challenge will once again revolve around serve consistency and patience. Against Zhukayev, his improved serve speed and placement stood out, giving him more free points and shorter holds. If that trend continues, he will have the tools to stay competitive against Martineau’s solid all-court game. It is still early in the year, but Bengaluru has already offered a glimpse of what could be a breakout season for Manas Dhamne, provided he stays injury-free. His return game and movement have long been elite for his age. Now, with added zip on the serve and better match endurance, the pieces are starting to come together.
Indian tennis has learned to be cautious with hype, but performances like these demand attention. In Bengaluru, Manas isn’t just participating. He is competing, adapting, and winning.
The next chapter may already be underway.
