Prizmic strikes back, keeps Jeddah SF hopes alive
After a sluggish start to his debut campaign at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, Dino Prizmic is up and running thanks to an electric performance on Thursday afternoon.
The 20-year-old Croatian fended off a spirited Justin Engel 4-1, 2-4, 4-3(3), 4-1 with an eye-catching blend of power and precision. Having fallen to Nishesh Basavareddy in four sets on Wednesday, the third-seeded Prizmic is now 1-1 in the Red Group and will aim to secure qualification for the semi-finals when he faces fellow debutant Alexander Blockx on Friday.
Clinical Croatian 🔥
Dino wins 82% of points #InAttack on his way to a group stage win in Jeddah 👏
Conversion Score calculates how often a player has won a point when they have been in attack during the point 📊#TennisInsights | @atptour | @nextgenfinals pic.twitter.com/tMIal3TioY
— Tennis Insights (@tennis_insights) December 18, 2025
“Of course [it was a must win] if I want to stay and fight for the semi-finals,” said Prizmic. “I’m very happy with my performance, I am getting better with every match. Today was a good match for me.
“The conditions are very fast, so I just tried to play better [than Wednesday] and to use fast footwork. From yesterday, I’m very happy about the performance and I think it will be even better tomorrow.”
As well as delivering a selection of squeaky-clean drop shots, Prizmic sent the fans into a frenzy with a blistering backhand winner on the run to earn the crucial break in the fourth set. He let out a mighty roar knowing that he still has plenty more to give in his Jeddah debut.
Both of Prizmic’s 2025 ATP Challenger Tour titles have come on clay, his preferred surface, but on Thursday he showed just how effective his grit and elasticity can be on indoor hard courts.
Basvareddy, who is one of two returners (also Learner Tien), could qualify for the semi-finals if he defeats Blockx on Thursday.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]