Manas Dhamne becomes youngest to progress through to R2 in Australian Open Juniors singles

The 15-year-old beat local lad Jeremy Zhang in straight sets.

Manas Dhamne, 15, has become the youngest to progress to the second round of the Australian Open Juniors in men’s singles. The youngster defeated Jeremy Zhang (106) of Australia in straight sets (6-3, 6-3). He will face Yi Zhou of China in the second round. Dhamne, the young prodigy won the MSLTA-PMDTA ITF Asian B1 Pune event held in September 2022 and by the virtue of which qualified for the main draw of the Australian Open.

Another Indian youngster, 17-year-old Aryan Shah who is India’s number one and WR 39 lost in the opening round to WR 21 Joao Fonseca in straight sets (1-6, 2-6). Among the other Indians in the fray, Yuvan Nandal will play USA's Frusina Alexander. While Shruthi Ahlawat, in the girls' singles, will face Wakana Sonobe from Japan in the first round.

Manas Dhamne was awarded the wildcard at the ATP Maharashtra Open and took on Mmoh of the USA in the first round. Although the teenager lost the match, he implanted high hopes in the people watching the match.

His opponent Mmoh was also amazed by the talent Manas possessed and is set to have a bright future. Manas is currently funded by IMG (International Management Group) and is based out of the Piatti Tennis Center in Italy.

In the senior section, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Sriram Balaji defeated fifth-seed pair Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek in three sets (7-6,2-6,6-4) and advanced to the second round. The Indian pair entered the main draw as alternates and participation was confirmed on January 20, a day prior to the opening round. The top 100 pair also entered the Maharashtra Open as an alternate pair and went on to finish as runner-up.

All the other Indians in the men’s doubles section bowed out in the opening round. Only Sania Mirza in the women’s doubles and Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna in the mixed doubles are still in the mix.