In a breakthrough moment for Indian tennis, 17-year-old Manas Dhamne delivered a performance beyond his years to qualify for the main draw of the ATP Challenger in Skopje, North Macedonia.
The teenager defeated World No. 488 Martin Krumich of the Czech Republic in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, in the final round of qualifying, capping off a stunning two-day stretch where he toppled two vastly more experienced players back-to-back.
Dhamne, currently ranked outside the top 750, has now clinched his place in the main draw of an ATP Challenger event — a significant step in the career of a young player who has long been viewed as one of India’s brightest prospects.
Two Days, Two Upsets
This wasn’t a one-off result. Just a day prior, Dhamne shocked former World No. 93 Andrej Martin, currently ranked #324, with a superb performance: 7-6(6), 6-0.
He saved five set points in the first set tiebreak before sweeping the second set in dominant fashion. That victory set up a high-stakes clash with Krumich, who had beaten James McCabe in his previous round.
Dhamne showed no signs of nerves against Krumich either. In the opening set, he played a controlled and aggressive game, securing the crucial break and holding serve confidently to take it 6-3.
The second set was more closely contested, with both players trading blows from the baseline. But Dhamne held firm under pressure and sealed the match 7-5, earning his place in the main draw — and further respect from the tennis community.
A Pattern of Progress
This is Dhamne’s third win over a Top-400 player in the last two months, signaling that his game is maturing rapidly.
What makes these wins even more impressive is the quality of the opposition — a former Top-20 player, a Top-100 regular, and now Krumich, who has been competing consistently on the Challenger circuit.
These victories are not flukes; they are the result of steady development and a growing sense of belief. Dhamne’s ability to absorb pace, redirect it with control, and construct points with maturity has drawn praise from coaches and observers.
Against Martin and Krumich, he showed not only technical skill but also mental resilience — especially in the Martin match, where he bounced back from five set points to completely dominate the second set.
Qualifying for the main draw of an ATP Challenger at just 17 is no small feat. The Challenger circuit is often a battleground for seasoned pros trying to claw their way back up the rankings. For Dhamne to succeed here suggests that he is ahead of schedule in his development curve.
India has seen very few teenage players make this kind of impact on the Challenger circuit. Most Indian men begin making Challenger main draws in their 20s.
Dhamne’s early entry could mark the beginning of a long run on the professional tour — and potentially open doors to ATP 250 qualifying events or even wildcards at higher levels.
Dhamne’s first-round opponent in the Skopje Challenger main draw will be revealed later today. Regardless of who he faces, the confidence gained from these two wins will be invaluable.
He has already shown he can outlast and outthink experienced players — now, it’s about sustaining that level against higher-ranked opposition over the course of a full tournament.
For Indian tennis fans, Dhamne’s rise is both exciting and timely. With the country’s top players nearing or already past their peak years, the emergence of a fearless, hard-working teen like Dhamne brings hope for the future.
It’s early days, and much work lies ahead. But Manas Dhamne’s back-to-back wins at the Skopje Challenger signal that he’s not just a junior with potential — he’s already competing with grown men on the professional circuit and holding his own.
As the week unfolds in Skopje, all eyes will be on the teenager from India who is quickly making a name for himself. If these last two matches are any indication, this could be just the beginning of a memorable run.
