Pune, February 27 – The sensational run of local boy and wildcard entrant, Manas Dhamne, at the Maha Open ATP Challenger 75 Men's Tennis Championship came to an end on Friday at the Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Stadium within the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune.
The 18-year-old squandered two match points, losing to Croatia's Duje Ajdukovic in a tense quarterfinal match of the tournament, organized by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in association with the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Maharashtra, PCMC, PMC, and PMDTA, and sponsored by the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA).
Ajdukovic, the 25-year-old, currently ranked 346, overcame a strong challenge from Indian wildcard, Manas Dhamne, to win 3-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4 in a gripping match that lasted 2 hours and 16 minutes.
The first set saw both players engage in intense baseline rallies. Ajdukovic broke Dhamne in the third game, but Dhamne immediately responded to level the score at 2-2. The young Indian then took control in the sixth game, winning aggressive returns to secure another break and ultimately winning the set 6-3.
Dhamne continued his momentum in the second set, breaking Ajdukovic in the third game for a 2-1 lead. However, Ajdukovic mounted a strong comeback, breaking back in the eighth game to tie the set. With neither player giving in, the set went into a tense tie-break. Ajdukovic prevailed 7-6 (8) to level the match.
In the deciding set, Ajdukovic came out strong, breaking Dhamne in the first game and consolidating with strong serves. Dhamne fought back bravely, breaking back in the fourth game to keep his hopes alive. However, Ajdukovic's aggressive shot-making and clutch serving proved decisive as he secured another break in the seventh game and won the set 6-4, securing his place in the semifinals.
Eighth seed, Edas Butvilas of Lithuania, defeated qualifier Masamichi Imamura of Japan 6-3, 6-3 in 1 hour and 21 minutes. Meanwhile, Britain's Felix Gill produced an impressive turnaround to defeat qualifier Maks Kasnikowski of Poland 0-6, 7-6(2), 6-1 in a thrilling match that lasted 2 hours and 5 minutes.
Sixth seed, Federico Cina from Italy, dominated his match against Britain's Alastair Gray 6-4, 6-2, securing his spot in the semifinals.
In the doubles semifinals, the Indo-Thai combination of Pruchya Isaro and second-seeded Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha defeated the third-seeded Japanese pair of Yuta Shimizu and Seita Watanabe, winning 7-5, 7-6(4) and advancing to the final. Top seeds Siddhant Banthia and Alexander Donski were defeated by the fourth-seeded pairing of Jisung Nam and Patrik Niklas-Salminen in the second semifinal.
Results:
Singles (quarterfinals):
Edas Butvilas[8](Ltu) bt [Q] Masamichi Imamura (Jpn) 6-3, 6-3; (1 hour 21 minutes)
Felix Gill (Gbr) bt [Q] Maks Kasnikowski (Pol) 0-6, 7-6(2), 6-1; (2 hours 5 minutes)
Federico Cina [6](Ita) bt Alastair Gray (Gbr) 6-4, 6-2;
Duje Ajdukovic (Cro) bt [Wc] Manas Dhamne (Ind) 3-6, 7-6(8), 6-4; (2 hours 16 minutes)
Doubles (semifinals):
Pruchya Isaro (Tha)/Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha [2](Ind) bt Yuta Shimizu (Jpn)/Seita Watanabe[3](Jpn) 7-5, 7-6(4);
Jisung Nam (Kor)/Patrik Niklas-Salminen [4](Fin) bt Siddhant Banthia (Ind)/Alexander Donski[1](Bul) 6-2, 6-4.
