Dhakshineswar Suresh Stuns World No. 158 Liam Draxl to Reach Second Round of ATP Cary Challenger

Indian tennis player Dhakshineswar Suresh continued his dream run at the ATP 75 Cary Tennis Classic, producing the biggest victory of his professional career by defeating second seed Liam Draxl of Canada to reach the second round of the ATP Challenger event.

The qualifier, ranked World No. 475, overcame the World No. 158 in straight sets, winning 7-6(5), 6-4 to register his eighth career victory over a Top 200 opponent. It also stands as the seventh-best win of his career by opponent ranking, underlining the steady progress the young Indian has made on the ATP Challenger circuit.

Having battled through three rounds—including qualifying—Suresh has emerged as one of the standout performers of the tournament and will next face American Braden Shick, who defeated China's Fajing Sun 6-1, 6-2 in the opening round.

Facing one of the tournament favourites, Suresh showed remarkable composure throughout the contest. The opening set proved to be a closely fought battle, with neither player able to establish a decisive advantage. The Indian maintained his focus during the crucial tiebreak, executing the big points with confidence to edge it 7-5 and take a one-set lead. Winning the opening set against a player ranked more than 300 places above him shifted the momentum firmly in Suresh's favour.

He carried that confidence into the second set, serving efficiently and capitalising on his opportunities to close out a memorable straight-sets victory. The win is another indication that Suresh is becoming increasingly comfortable competing against higher-ranked opposition on the Challenger Tour.

The victory over Draxl capped an outstanding run that began in the qualifying draw. Suresh first defeated former World No. 135 Mitchell Krueger in dominant fashion, winning 6-1, 6-4 in the opening qualifying round. The performance was built around an exceptional serving display. The Indian fired 10 aces, won 33 of his 38 first-serve points, and successfully saved the only break point he faced throughout the match. The victory also carried added significance as Suresh avenged a defeat to Krueger from the previous season.

The final qualifying round presented another stern examination. Standing between Suresh and the main draw was Samir Banerjee, the 2021 Junior Wimbledon champion and one of the promising young players on the American circuit. Once again, Suresh produced his best tennis when it mattered most. The opening set was decided in another tense tiebreak, but the Indian remained composed under pressure before raising his level in the second set to complete a 7-6(5), 6-3 victory.

His ability to handle pressure situations, particularly during both first-set tiebreaks against Banerjee and Draxl, has been one of the defining features of his week in Cary.

For Indian tennis, Suresh's performances provide another encouraging sign from the country's next generation of players. The ATP Challenger Tour serves as the primary pathway towards the ATP Tour, and consistent victories against higher-ranked opponents are essential for improving rankings and gaining direct entry into bigger tournaments. Defeating players such as Mitchell Krueger, Samir Banerjee and Liam Draxl in consecutive matches demonstrates not only technical ability but also increasing mental resilience.

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Across the week, Suresh has showcased an aggressive baseline game backed by an increasingly effective serve. His ability to protect his own service games has allowed him to stay competitive even against players with considerably higher rankings and greater experience.

Perhaps even more impressive has been his composure during decisive moments, repeatedly delivering under pressure against accomplished opponents.

Suresh's reward for upsetting the second seed is a second-round clash against American Braden Shick, currently ranked World No. 325. Shick advanced after a convincing 6-1, 6-2 victory over China's Fajing Sun, setting up another intriguing contest. On paper, the rankings suggest a far more even matchup than Suresh's previous rounds.

If the Indian can maintain the serving consistency and confidence that carried him through qualifying and into the second round, another deep run at the ATP 75 Cary Tennis Classic cannot be ruled out.

While India's established stars continue to compete on the ATP Tour, performances like these highlight the growing depth within Indian men's tennis. Every Challenger victory contributes valuable ATP ranking points and, more importantly, invaluable experience against quality international opposition.

For Dhakshineswar Suresh, this week in Cary has already become one of the most significant of his professional career. From defeating former World No. 135 Mitchell Krueger in qualifying to overcoming Junior Wimbledon champion Samir Banerjee and then stunning second seed Liam Draxl in the main draw, the Indian has announced himself as a player capable of competing with some of the strongest names on the Challenger circuit.

His remarkable run is far from over, and with confidence soaring, Suresh will now look to carry that momentum into the second round as he continues his pursuit of another career-defining victory.