Lucky Loser Dhakshineswar Suresh Stuns Former World No. 37 Marcos Giron for Maiden ATP Tour Win
Indian tennis has found another reason to believe in its next generation. Dhakshineswar Suresh, ranked 394 and competing as a lucky loser, produced the biggest ATP Tour victory of his career by defeating American Marcos Giron in straight sets at the Winston-Salem Open.
The 26-year-old Indian beat the former World No. 37, 6-3, 7-5, to enter the Round of 32 and register his maiden ATP Tour main draw victory. More importantly, the result marked the second Top-100 win of his career and his best victory by opponent ranking.
For a player who had initially lost in qualifying and only entered the main draw as a lucky loser, it was an opportunity he grabbed with both hands. Suresh's performance was built around the biggest weapon in his game: his serve.
The 6'5" Indian fired 17 aces against Giron and repeatedly denied the American any opportunity to settle into the match. Suresh won an impressive 85 per cent of points behind his first serve and, crucially, did not face a single break point during the contest. The match statistics reflected just how effectively he imposed his game. His serve quality rating stood at 8.9 compared to Giron's 7.9, while he produced a significantly higher percentage of unreturned serves. His average first-serve speed was also substantially higher, with Suresh clocking 165 km/h compared to Giron's 139 km/h.
The numbers only tell part of the story.
Giron has spent years competing regularly at the highest level of the ATP Tour and reached a career-high ranking of World No. 37 in 2024. Even at his current ranking outside the top 70, the American remains an experienced opponent who has played against some of the biggest servers and most powerful players in the game. But Suresh ensured that Giron never found his rhythm.
The Indian was particularly effective in attacking Giron's second serve and refused to allow the American to settle into comfortable baseline exchanges. His power, height and ability to generate easy points on serve gave him control of the match. Suresh won 13 points to Giron's seven in the forehand winners category and also had the edge in backhand winners, four to three. More significantly, he forced Giron into 12 forehand unforced errors compared to his own six.
That combination of aggressive serving and controlled baseline play proved decisive.
The second set provided the biggest test. After taking the opening set 6-3, Suresh found himself in a tighter battle as Giron attempted to extend rallies and put greater pressure on the Indian's movement. But the Indian remained composed and served his way through the crucial moments.
His ability to protect his serve was outstanding. Suresh was perfect on the deuce side of the court, winning all 19 first-serve points played from that position.
When the match reached its decisive phase, the Indian did not blink. He closed out the second set 7-5 to complete one of the biggest ATP Tour wins by an Indian player this season. The victory also carries historical significance at the Winston-Salem Open. Suresh became only the second Indian man to win a main draw match in the tournament's history.
For Indian tennis, the result is particularly encouraging because it comes from a player who has developed through a different pathway from many of his contemporaries. Suresh was a standout at Wake Forest University in the United States and built much of his game in the American college tennis system. That experience helped him develop the physical and tactical tools needed to compete against bigger and stronger players.
His frame immediately stands out on the court. At 6'5", he possesses the kind of height and serve that can make him a dangerous opponent on faster surfaces. But his win over Giron also demonstrated that he is more than just a big server. Against an experienced ATP Tour player, Suresh was able to win from the baseline, control key rallies and maintain his level across two sets.
The victory could also provide a significant rankings boost. Having entered the tournament around the World No. 400 mark, his run at Winston-Salem is expected to push him closer towards the mid-300s.
Next up for the Indian is another major opportunity.
Suresh will face eighth seed Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the Round of 32. The Argentine is ranked World No. 51 and represents another step up in competition, but Suresh will enter the match with confidence after one of the biggest wins of his career.
Cerundolo is a very different challenge from Giron. The Argentine is comfortable in long rallies and possesses the patience and consistency to expose any drop in level. For Suresh, the key will once again be his first serve and his ability to keep points on his terms. But after arriving as a lucky loser and taking down a former World No. 37, there is no reason for him to fear the next challenge.
For Indian tennis, the timing could hardly be better. With the US Open approaching, Suresh's breakthrough has provided a timely reminder that there are players outside India's established names capable of producing results on the ATP Tour.
His maiden main draw victory may only be one match, but the manner of it was significant. A player ranked around 400, entering as a lucky loser, served 17 aces, saved every break point by never allowing one and defeated an experienced former top-40 player in straight sets.
Dhakshineswar Suresh arrived in Winston-Salem looking for an opportunity.
He may have just found a breakthrough.
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