India’s rising tennis talent Manas Dhamne put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell short in a thrilling three-set battle against Petr Bar Biryukov in the first round of the ATP 125 Bengaluru Open.
The 16-year-old wildcard entrant, currently ranked #774, showed immense promise against the 6’4 big-serving Russian, who fired 14 aces en route to a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(3) victory.
Dhamne, who led 2-0 in the third set, had a golden opportunity to pull off an upset but was unable to sustain the momentum as Biryukov clawed his way back.
The Russian, ranked #395, had already proven his form earlier in the tournament by defeating ATP #110 Billy Harris in the qualifiers the same player who narrowly edged out Dhamne in Pune last week.
This loss may be disappointing for the Indian teenager, but his fighting spirit against a seasoned opponent highlights his growing potential on the ATP Tour.
Match Breakdown: Dhamne’s Fight Ends in a Heartbreaker
First Set: Biryukov’s Power Game Dominates
The match began with Biryukov asserting his authority, using his powerful first serve and aggressive groundstrokes to dictate play. His big frame gave him a natural advantage, allowing him to bomb down aces and control the rallies from the baseline.
Dhamne struggled to make inroads on the Russian’s serve early on, and a crucial break in the middle of the set gave Biryukov the upper hand. Despite Dhamne’s attempts to extend the rallies, Biryukov’s high first-serve percentage and clean ball-striking saw him seal the set 6-3.
Second Set: Dhamne Strikes Back
The young Indian showcased his tactical awareness in the second set, adjusting his return position and mixing up his shots to break Biryukov’s rhythm. With the home crowd behind him, Dhamne started attacking the Russian’s weaker second serve, forcing errors and gaining confidence in his own game.
A crucial break midway through the set put Dhamne ahead, and he held his nerve to close out the set 6-3, leveling the match and setting up an intriguing decider.
Third Set: A Rollercoaster Battle Ends in a Tiebreak
With momentum on his side, Dhamne made a strong start to the final set, breaking Biryukov early to race to a 2-0 lead. However, the experienced Russian refused to back down, quickly regaining control with his serve and powerful groundstrokes.
As the set progressed, both players held firm, leading to a tense tiebreaker. Biryukov’s big-match experience proved decisive as he raised his level, delivering clutch serving and capitalizing on Dhamne’s errors to take the breaker 7-3 and seal the hard-fought win.
Despite the loss, Dhamne’s performance against a much higher-ranked opponent signals promising signs for his future.
Other Indian Performances at Bengaluru Open
SD Prajwal Dev Battles Hard Against Gengel
In another first-round match, 28-year-old wildcard SD Prajwal Dev put up a spirited fight against Czech Republic’s Marek Gengel before going down 7-6(2), 3-6, 3-6. Dev took the opening set in a tight tiebreaker but was unable to sustain the momentum as Gengel raised his intensity in the latter stages.
Despite the loss, Dev’s competitive showing against a higher-ranked opponent will boost his confidence moving forward.
Karan Singh Pushes Rodionov to the Brink
Qualifier Karan Singh also put up an impressive display, stretching Austria’s Jurij Rodionov to three sets before falling 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(3). Singh, who showcased his aggressive baseline game and powerful serve, fought back brilliantly after dropping the first set and led 2-0 in the deciding tiebreak.
However, Rodionov who was ranked inside the Top 100 last year—held his nerve to stage a comeback and seal the win. Singh’s performance against such a seasoned opponent underscores his growing potential on the ATP Challenger circuit.
Takeaways from the Bengaluru Open
1. Manas Dhamne’s potential is undeniable
Despite the loss, he displayed maturity beyond his years, holding his own against a much more experienced opponent.
2. Indian players are improving their competitiveness on the Challenger circuit
Both Prajwal Dev and Karan Singh pushed higher-ranked players to three-set battles, a sign of growing depth in Indian tennis.
3. Mental toughness remains a key area for development
Dhamne (2-0 in Set 3) and Singh (2-0 in TB) both lost leads in crucial moments, highlighting the need to work on closing out tight matches.
While it was a tough day for Indian players, their performances against higher-ranked international opponents show encouraging signs for the future.
The Bengaluru Open has been a platform for young Indian talents to gain valuable experience, and these matches will only help them grow stronger on the professional circuit.
Up Next
With more ATP Challenger events lined up in the coming months, Indian players will look to build on these performances and take the next step towards breaking into the ATP Tours top ranks.
