Manas Dhamne Shines at Maha Open ATP Challenger, Reaches Quarterfinals
Dhamne Advances in Hometown Tournament
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], February 25: Local favorite Manas Dhamne showcased his exceptional skills at the Maha Open ATP Challenger 75 Men's Tennis Championship, successfully reaching the quarterfinals held at the Shiv Chhatrapati Kreeda Sankul, Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Stadium on Wednesday.
Joining him in the last eight are unseeded players Duje Ajdukovic from Croatia, Alastair Gray from Great Britain, and sixth-seeded Federico Cina from Italy, as reported in an official announcement.
This tournament is organized by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in collaboration with the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Maharashtra, along with PCMC, PMC, and PMDTA, and is sponsored by the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA).
Indian wildcard Manas Dhamne electrified the local audience by defeating former top-50 player Ilya Ivashka, who had to retire while trailing 3-6. Dhamne displayed remarkable confidence and precision from the backcourt before Ivashka withdrew due to injury. He is set to face Croatia's Duje Ajdukovic in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Duje Ajdukovic delivered an impressive performance, defeating fifth seed Frederico Ferreira Silva of Portugal with a score of 6-2, 6-2. Ajdukovic dominated from the baseline, breaking serve early in both sets and preventing Silva from finding his rhythm.
Alastair Gray from Britain achieved one of the tournament's most exciting victories, coming back from a set down to defeat third seed Ilia Simakin 4-6, 7-6(7), 7-5 in a match lasting 2 hours and 50 minutes. After losing the first set, Gray increased his intensity, narrowly winning the second-set tiebreak and maintaining his composure in the final set to secure the win.
Sixth seed Federico Cina of Italy continued his strong performance with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Japan's Yuta Shimizu. Cina was effective on serve and aggressive in his returns, controlling the rallies and finishing the match in straight sets in just over an hour.
In the doubles first round, top seeds Siddhant Banthia (India) and Alexander Donski (Bulgaria) faced a tough challenge in the first set but ultimately triumphed over Luca Castelnuovo (Switzerland) and Uisung Park (Korea) with a score of 7-6(5), 6-2. After winning a closely contested tiebreak, the duo dominated the second set.
Indian wildcards Saketh Myneni and Digvijaypratap Singh also impressed with a solid 6-3, 6-3 win against Japan's Masamichi Imamura and Kokoro Isomura, showcasing excellent net play and teamwork. Jay Clarke (Great Britain) and Michael Geerts (Belgium) also secured a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory over the Japanese pair Takuya Kumasaka and Rio Noguchi.
Ryuki Matsuda (Japan) and Ilia Simakin edged past Aryan Lakshmanan (India) and Mitsuki Wei Kang Leong (Malaysia) with a score of 7-6(3), 7-5 in a tightly contested match that hinged on crucial mini-breaks and pressure points late in the sets.
As the quarterfinals approach, anticipation builds for thrilling matches as competitors vie for the ATP Challenger 75 title in Pune. India's top player, Sumit Nagal, is scheduled to compete on Thursday at 2 PM.