Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal's campaign at the ongoing 2024 Australian Open came to a grinding halt after he suffered a 6-2, 3-6, 5-7, 4-6 defeat against China's Juncheng Shang in the men's singles second round match on January 18. Nagal narrowly missed the opportunity to etch his name in history as only the second Indian to advance to the tournament's third round. This feat was last achieved by Ramanathan Krishnan, who famously defeated seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander in 1989's second round. Despite a valiant effort, Nagal's journey was halted in a tightly contested match.
The contest saw Nagal win but later lose the ensuing three sets. Nagal began his match against Shang with the same momentum he had shown against Alexander Bublik just two days prior. He made an immediate impact by breaking Shang's serve in the opening game of the match. Throughout the set, he maintained a strong stance, not giving the Chinese player any significant opportunities to gain ground. After successfully navigating through some challenging moments to hold his serve, Nagal once again broke through Shang's service game, wrapping up the first set decisively with a score of 6-2.
The match's critical moment came in the third set's 11th game, where Nagal struggled to hold his serve and was eventually broken. Capitalising on this lapse, Shang, who has previously been ranked as the junior World No. 1, seized the moment, holding his serve with ease. He continued this momentum into the fourth set, ultimately securing his place in the third round.
Nagal stunned Bublik in 1st round
However, Nagal's participation in the Australian Open was still a significant milestone for Indian tennis. He made history as the first Indian in 35 years to defeat a seeded player in a Grand Slam tournament. This remarkable achievement came in the first round, where he triumphed over world number 31 Bublik in straight sets.
Entering the tournament ranked 138th in the world, Nagal's impressive performance in Melbourne led to a substantial climb in the rankings. His journey at the Australian Open resulted in a leap of 20 places, bringing him to the 118th spot in the global rankings. Nagal's run in this Grand Slam event not only showcased his potential and skill on the international stage but also marked a significant moment for Indian tennis, reflecting the growing stature of Indian players in the sport.
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