Dhakshineswar Suresh's Dream Run Propels India into Davis Cup Second Round
Late on Sunday, Dhakshineswar Suresh gave Indian tennis fans a reason to dream big, capping off an extraordinary eight-month period that has been nothing short of a fantasy for the rising star. The 25-year-old, currently ranked 470 on the ATP Tour and a final-year Communications student at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, has stunned the tennis world by defeating seven players ranked within the top-170 during this span.
A Historic Victory in Bengaluru
The pinnacle of Suresh's recent achievements came over the weekend in Bengaluru, where he outplayed the Netherlands' Jesper De Jong, a formidable World No. 88, in the Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 1. His dominant service games and powerful groundstrokes immediately captured everyone's attention, but there was more magic to come.
As Sunday transitioned into Monday, Suresh became the toast of the nation by securing India's place in the second round of qualifiers with a thrilling win over Guy den Ouden in the decisive fifth rubber. It was his booming serve that proved instrumental, as he hammered an impressive 15 aces in the crucial match. This victory ensures that India will now face South Korea away in the second round of Davis Cup qualifiers this September.
India's Path Forward in the Davis Cup
UP NEXT FOR INDIA
- Date: September 18-20
- Event: Second round of Davis Cup qualifiers
- Number of teams: 14 (seven ties)
- India's opponent: South Korea, who will host the tie
FORMAT
The winners of the seven ties will advance to join hosts Italy in the grand finale. The losers will compete in next year's Qualifiers Round 1.
India's Journey to the 2nd Round
- Beat Switzerland 3-1 in a World Group I away tie in Biel (September 2025).
- Beat the Netherlands 3-2 at home in the Qualifiers Round 1 in Bengaluru.
The Secret Behind Suresh's Thunderous Serve
Sending down thunderbolts has become Suresh's trademark, a skill honed through years of relentless practice. He meticulously oils his smooth service motion daily, delivering between 50 to 100 serves during training sessions. Standing at an imposing 6 feet 6 inches, his height plays a pivotal role, allowing him a higher contact point to meet the ball at full extension. This creates a steeper angle, generating greater pace as the ball leaves his racquet.
"I put my height to use and I work on my strengths. I try to get a basket of serves daily in training. It is always about consistency," said Suresh, who recently enjoyed one of his best serving performances with 20 aces against Croatia's Duje Ajdukovic in the first round of the Bengaluru Open ATP 125 Challenger.
"When I get into crucial moments, I tell myself that I did this a million times in training, so it is just another ball that I am going to hit. The serve is about practice, day in and out. That is how I trust myself on the serve," he explained.
Impressive Stats and Recognition
Although speed guns were unavailable in his recent tournaments in Bengaluru—including the World Tennis League, Bengaluru Open, and Davis Cup—observers could easily see the ball fly off his racquet with remarkable velocity. His flat, powerful serve consistently pushed opponents onto the backfoot, creating openings to close points efficiently.
Even when his first serve falters, Suresh possesses a potent second kick serve that jumps sharply off the court. This versatility is evident in his Davis Cup performance, where he recorded 33 aces and just six double faults across three singles matches. He also made a memorable Davis Cup debut last year by defeating Switzerland's Jerome Kym, then ranked 155.
India's non-playing captain, Rohit Rajpal, praised what he called a "gifted serve." "Suresh has got a beautiful whip on his serve, which is difficult to achieve unless you have a loose stance and swing. He has a beautiful service motion, and that is why he gets great speed too. He has a very gifted serve. Not every tall player can serve well," Rajpal noted.
Versatility and Future Prospects
Beyond his formidable serve, Suresh is also adept at the net, a skill sharpened through doubles play in college tennis. This was evident when he partnered with Yuki Bhambri in doubles against the Dutch team.
A significant test awaits Suresh on the professional Tour once he completes his degree in May. "I'll finish my studies in the US, then come down in May and figure out my schedule. Once sorted, I'll start getting into the Tour and prepare for the next Davis Cup," he stated, looking ahead to his future endeavors.
