Sumit Nagal, a 26-year-old India’s men’s tennis star stuns World No. 38 after defeating him in an electrifying showdown at the ATP masters event here in Monte Carlo on April 8, Monday.
While India is in the daze of smoking matches of IPL17, Sumit Nagal adds his name to news sports headlines as he recently scripted history when he became the first Indian to qualify for the Monte Carlo Masters single main draw in 42 years after defeating World No.55 Facundo Diaz Acosta in a grueling three-set contest on Monday. Talking about the scenic settings of ATP Monte Carlo, Nagal said that it is one of the most beautiful venues in the world referring to its red clay court with the backdrop of the serene blue Mediterranean Sea.
Highlights of the fiery tournament
The debutant Sumit Nagal after winning the qualifiers, projected his skills and resilience after trouncing 23-year-old Italian tennis player Matteo Arnaldi. After adding this victory and honor to his name, Nagal now holds the laurel of being the first Indian to appear in such a renowned tournament in 42 years. Ranked 95th globally, Nagal achieved his first main draw win with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 scoreline.
In the initial set, both players exchanged breaks, with Nagal eventually losing his serve in the 12th game due to Arnaldi’s aggressive play.
However, Nagal quickly regained his composure in the second set, breaking Arnaldi twice to secure a comfortable 4-1 advantage. Despite facing pressure on his serve in the sixth game, Nagal held on and sealed the set to force a decisive third set.
In the third set, after exchanging breaks with Arnaldi, Nagal managed to break his opponent’s serve for the second time in the seventh game, establishing a crucial 4-3 lead. This breakthrough ultimately determined the final outcome of the match. Nagal solidified his advantage by winning the eighth game and successfully served out the match in the tenth game. With this win, India’s men’s tennis star bags the title of being the first Indian to win a Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters main draw singles match on the red clay.
What a moment 🇮🇳
Match point as @nagalsumit makes history at the #RolexMonteCarloMasters
pic.twitter.com/ArfGUGEN5V— Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (@ROLEXMCMASTERS) April 8, 2024
This is his second victory in defeating a top-50 player this season of ATP Monte Carlo In the first round of the qualifying event, he also caused defeat to Italian Flavio Cobolli ranked 63 in the world with a score of 6-2 6-3 and third in his overall career after he vanquished the World number 27 Alexander Bublik at the Australian Open in Melbourne back in the beginning of this year and also the globally ranked 22nd Chilean tennis player Cristian Garin almost a decade back in 2011 at Argentina Open.
Nagal also registered his First Masters 1000 Win after defeating Arnaldi to become the first singles player from India to win a Masters 1000 match on clay.
Here’s what Sumit Nagal said after the triumph
After walking out of the tournament victorious Nagal commented on the achievement by saying, “Milestones are nice. It was a very good match from my side. I played a very high level in the second and third sets and was able to finish it off.”
He also added, “I’m just enjoying playing right now, enjoying the feel of competing. Looking at my last few years, where I lost so much of time, this is the best I could ask for,”.
“I knew once the rally was getting longer, I was winning a majority of the points. My goal was to try to change a bit of strategy, and once I was able to control the points more, I felt like it had become a little easier for me.”
Nagal will now be seen in a face-off with World No. 7 Holger Rune tomorrow at Monte Carlo Country Club.
