Seventeen-year-old Manas Dhamne continued his rapid rise on the ITF World Tennis Tour with a composed and high-quality performance at the M15 Monastir event in Tunisia, reaching the final after a straight-sets victory over France’s Moise Kouame.
The Indian fourth seed prevailed 7–5, 6–4 in the semifinals, showcasing maturity beyond his years and reinforcing his growing reputation as one of India’s most exciting young prospects.
The win capped an impressive week for Dhamne on the hard courts in Monastir, where he has negotiated a challenging draw with consistency and tactical clarity. Against Kouame, one of the youngest players inside the ATP Top 1000, Dhamne showed control in key moments, managing his service games well and applying pressure when opportunities arose.
The semifinal was a tightly contested affair, particularly in the opening set. Both players held serve through the early stages, with rallies often extending as neither was willing to concede baseline control. Dhamne’s ability to stay patient while still looking to dictate with his forehand proved decisive. At 5–5, the Indian raised his intensity, earning crucial break points and converting to take the set 7–5. The second set followed a similar pattern, but Dhamne appeared increasingly comfortable as the match progressed, breaking at the right time and closing out the contest 6–4 with minimal fuss.
This result marked Dhamne’s second ITF final in the last four months, a notable achievement for a player still in his teens and transitioning steadily from junior success to the senior circuit. More importantly, the performance reflected improvements in match management an area often cited as the most challenging aspect for young players making the step up.
Dhamne’s run to the final has been built on solid wins throughout the week. He opened his campaign with a 6–3, 7–5 victory over Spain’s Bernardo Munk Mesa, setting the tone with a disciplined display. In the second round, he defeated Italy’s Gabriele Bosio 6–2, 6–3, showing his ability to control matches against experienced tour regulars. The quarterfinal against Germany’s Mika Petkovic tested him further, as Dhamne bounced back from dropping the first set to win 4–6, 6–0, 6–4 a match that highlighted his resilience and physical conditioning.
The semifinal win over Kouame was arguably his most complete performance of the tournament, combining patience, aggression, and composure under pressure. For Indian tennis followers, it was another encouraging sign that Dhamne is learning how to win matches at this level rather than simply compete.
Awaiting him in the final is Bulgaria’s Pyotr Nesterov, a seasoned ITF campaigner who brings experience and variety. The final will present a different challenge altogether, but regardless of the outcome, Dhamne’s week in Monastir has already delivered valuable ranking points and confidence.
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Currently ranked inside the top 600 on the ATP Tour, Dhamne’s steady progress over the past year has been noticeable. He has avoided rushing his development, focusing instead on building a robust game suited to the demands of professional tennis. His movement, shot tolerance, and growing confidence on serve have all improved, and performances like this suggest he is on the right trajectory.
As Indian men’s tennis looks to the next generation for breakthroughs beyond the established names, Manas Dhamne’s run at M15 Monastir stands out as a timely reminder of the talent coming through.
Reaching another ITF final before the age of 18 is no small feat, and the manner in which he has gone about his business in Tunisia points to a player who is learning quickly, competing fearlessly, and laying strong foundations for the years ahead.
