Manas Dhamne Digs Deep: 18-Year-Old Indian Star Wins Shymkent Marathon
SHYMKENT, KAZAKHSTAN — In a display of grit that far exceeds his 18 years, India’s Manas Dhamne secured one of the most resilient victories of his young career today at the ATP 50 Shymkent Challenger. The world No. 444 overcame a match point and multiple deficits to defeat Uzbekistan’s Nikita Belozertsev in a nearly three-hour marathon.
A Test of Temperament
The match was a rollercoaster from the opening toss. Dhamne found himself in an immediate hole, trailing 0-4 in the first set as Belozertsev, the Junior World No. 14, started with aggressive baseline play. However, the “Satara Sensation” showed the first signs of his mental toughness, reeling off seven of the next eight games to snatch the opening set 7-5.
After dropping the second set, the decider turned into a tactical chess match. Dhamne’s back was against the wall multiple times in the third set, notably:
- Recovering from 0-30 while serving at 3-4.
- Clawing back from 0-30 again at 5-6 to force a tiebreak.
The Final Stand
The drama peaked in the final set tiebreak. Trailing 7-8, Dhamne faced a match point that would have ended his run. Showing nerves of steel, he saved it and eventually converted his own fourth match point to seal the victory 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(8) after 2 hours and 54 minutes of play.
Match Snapshot
| Statistic | Manas Dhamne (IND) | Nikita Belozertsev (UZB) |
|---|---|---|
| ATP Ranking | 444 | 779 |
| Match Duration | 2h 54m | 2h 54m |
| Key Moment | Saved MP at 7-8 in TB | Led 4-0 in 1st Set |
| Final Score | 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(8) | — |
What’s Next: A Heavyweight Test
The road doesn’t get easier for the Indian teenager. In the Round of 16, Dhamne is set to face the Netherlands’ Gijs Brouwer. While Brouwer currently sits at world No. 1216 due to recent inactivity due to injury, he is a formidable opponent with a career-high ranking of ATP 114. Brouwer enters the second round full of confidence after upsetting the 263rd-ranked Ivan Gakhov in his opener.
For Dhamne, this win is more than just points; it’s a statement. The young Indian is proving that he has the stamina and the “big-point” mentality required to climb the ATP ladder.
Keep an eye on the scoreboard—the King of Satara is just getting started.
