Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal has created history by becoming the first Indian in 42 years to qualify for the singles main draw of the prestigious Monte Carlo Masters. This achievement has put Nagal in the same league as the legendary Ramesh Krishnan, who had made it to the main draw of the same tournament in 1982.
Born on August 16, 1997, the 26-year-old Nagal, currently ranked 95th in the world, has been steadily making his mark in the international tennis circuit. His journey to the main draw of the Monte Carlo Masters has been nothing short of inspiring.
Sumit Nagal achieves historic feat
Nagal started his campaign in the qualification rounds. In the first round, he faced Flavio Cobolli of Italy, ranked 63rd in the world. Displaying a strong game, Nagal defeated Cobolli with a score of 6-2, 6-3. This victory set the stage for the final qualifying round, where Nagal was up against the world number 55, Facundo Diaz Acosta of Argentina.
The final qualifying round was a gruelling match that lasted two hours and 25 minutes. Nagal showcased his resilience and determination, defeating Acosta with a score of 7-5, 2-6, 6-2. This victory secured his place in the main draw of the Monte Carlo Masters, a feat that no Indian player had achieved in over four decades.
Making history 🇮🇳@nagalsumit #RolexMonteCarloMasters pic.twitter.com/cSK8pyxFzx
— Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (@ROLEXMCMASTERS) April 7, 2024
In the first round of the main draw, Nagal is set to face world number 35, Matteo Arnaldi of Italy. This match will be a significant challenge for Nagal, but given his recent form and determination, he is expected to put up a strong fight.
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