The World Tennis League in Bengaluru delivered one of its most surprising results when Daniil Medvedev, a Grand Slam champion and tournament favorite, was defeated by India’s Dhakshineswar Suresh, ranked world No. 524. The upset highlighted how quickly momentum can shift in tennis, especially during the transition from season’s end to pre-season.
The match that changed the Falcons’ fate
The clash between the Game Changers Falcons and the Aussie Mavericks Kites was decisive in determining who would reach the final of the Iconik Sports Presents World Tennis League. Played at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium, the encounter came down to fine margins.
Suresh, representing the Kites, sealed the victory by defeating Medvedev 6-4 in the final set. His win propelled the Mavericks into Saturday’s title match.
A dramatic turnaround for the Mavericks
The Mavericks began the day at the bottom of the leaderboard but staged a remarkable comeback. They defeated the Falcons 24-19, climbing to second place with 58 points. Their opponent in the final will be the AOS Eagles, who topped the standings with 65 points after beating the VB Realty Hawks 22-12.
How Suresh outplayed Medvedev
Medvedev is known for his unorthodox strokes and preference for long rallies from the baseline. Suresh disrupted that rhythm by stepping inside the court and forcing Medvedev into defensive positions. His varied serving patterns prevented Medvedev from settling into his usual return game.
Key moments arrived late in the set, with pressure mounting on every point. Suresh remained composed, showing maturity beyond his ranking. He trusted his aggressive approach and executed when it mattered most, closing out the match with confidence.
Indian players shape the narrative
Sumit Nagal also impressed with a commanding 6-1 victory over Denis Shapovalov, a former world top-10 player. Nagal controlled rallies from the outset, demonstrating clean execution rather than relying on Shapovalov’s errors.
These performances by Suresh and Nagal shifted the evening’s storyline. In a league often dominated by international stars, Indian singles players ensured that local talent played a central role in the competition.
Medvedev’s struggles in 2025
This defeat was not the first setback for Medvedev in 2025. The Russian has endured a challenging year, with results falling short of expectations. His loss to Suresh in Bengaluru added another chapter to a season marked by inconsistency and missed opportunities.
Daniil Medvedev in 2025
Now ranked no.13, Medvedev played his last match on the 31st of October when he surrendered to world no.3 Alexander Zverev 2-6 6-3 7-6(5) in the quarter in Paris (draw).
This season Daniil achieved a compiled 41-23 record. The Russian clinched 1 title in Almaty. Medvedev got to the final in Halle.