Tennis

Sumit Nagal Shows Promise Despite Defeat in French Open Debut

In his first main draw appearance at the French Open, India’s Sumit Nagal showcased his tenacity and skill but ultimately fell short against 18th seed Karen Khachanov. Despite the 6-2, 6-0, 7-6(5) scoreline, Nagal’s performance in the opening round on Monday highlighted his potential and fighting spirit.

Nagal, ranked 95th, faced a formidable opponent in Khachanov, who leveraged his power to dominate the match. The contest, lasting two hours and 27 minutes on Court 7, saw Nagal display flashes of brilliance but he struggled to maintain consistency against the Russian’s relentless game.

The match began on a challenging note for Nagal. He was broken early, trailing 1-2, despite saving three break points. An interruption due to rain, lasting an hour and a half, further complicated matters as the conditions became heavier, making it difficult for Nagal to generate top-spin and assert himself on his preferred surface.

Upon resumption, Khachanov took control, swiftly securing the first two sets. However, Nagal exhibited resilience in the third set. He broke back when Khachanov was serving for the match at 5-4, forcing a tie-breaker. The momentum briefly shifted in Nagal’s favor, but Khachanov regained his composure to close out the match.

While the final score may not fully reflect the competitive nature of the match, Nagal had several notable moments. His first serve percentage stood at 73%, outperforming Khachanov’s 64%. Additionally, Nagal earned nine break points but managed to convert only one, indicating a need for greater assertiveness in critical situations.

Despite the loss, Nagal’s performance at Roland Garros caps a memorable year. He achieved a career-high ranking of 80 in April and entered the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time without needing a wild card or qualifiers. Earlier in the year, Nagal made headlines by defeating Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik at the Australian Open, becoming the first Indian since 1989 to beat a seeded player at a Grand Slam.

Following his Australian Open success, Nagal won the ATP Challenger event in Chennai and reached the semi-finals in Bengaluru. His run included a first-round victory over 38th-ranked Matteo Arnaldi at Monte-Carlo and taking a set off 13th-ranked Holger Rune, securing his place in the Roland Garros main draw.

Reflecting on his journey, Nagal said, “It’s been nothing but a grind, we haven’t skipped any steps all season. We’ve got a bunch of great guys in this locker room, tough guys. Our coaching staff has been great, front office great and now we want to take the next step.”

Despite Nagal’s exit from the French Open, his ability to compete against higher-ranked players and perform under pressure bodes well for his future endeavours on the ATP Tour. As he continues to refine his game and gain more experience, fans can look forward to more promising performances from the young Indian tennis star.

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

India Falls to Chile in Shootout After 2–2 Draw at Four Nations Junior Women’s Hockey Tournament

The Indian junior women’s hockey team suffered a narrow defeat against Chile in a tense… Read More

May 30, 2025

Shreyas Iyer’s Misjudged Aggression Costs Punjab Kings in Qualifier Blowout

Punjab Kings’ journey to the IPL 2025 final suffered a massive blow after a disappointing… Read More

May 30, 2025

Harry Maguire Hopes to See Indian Talent in Premier League, Backs Grassroots Football Initiatives

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has expressed optimism about the future of Indian football, stating… Read More

May 30, 2025

Salt’s blazing fifty helps RCB crush PBKS in record-breaking playoff win

Nine years after their last appearance in an IPL final, Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the… Read More

May 30, 2025

Josh Hazlewood opens up on playing in IPL before WTC Final, says he is got to be bowling

Royal Challengers Bengaluru fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has said playing in the IPL is not… Read More

May 30, 2025