In seven years, Sumit Nagal became the first Indian to win a round at a Grand Slam, when he tackled American Bradley Klahn in his first round of the US Open, setting up a battle against world number three Dominic Thiem, here.
Returning to the Flushing Meadows where he took Roger Federer off, on Tuesday night, the Indian surpassed the local rival 6-1 6-3 3-6 6-1 in two hours and 12 minutes.
Sumit Nagal is the first Indian man to win a match at the #USOpen in 7 years.
He's onto the second round after defeating Klahn 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.@nagalsumit I #USOpen pic.twitter.com/h30hVPeaWu
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2020
Somdev Devvarman was the last Indian to win a major draw match and, by the way, it was at the 2013 U.S. Open that he defeated Lukas Lacko from Slovakia after qualifying.
“I qualified for a junior Slam in 2013 here and then the men’s and now to win my first round here means a lot. I enjoy playing here and it has worked out in my favor few times,” says Sumit Nagal
Sumit Nagal said that Indian tennis should have done a lot better, and also accused it partly on the not-so-helpful “system.”
“In one way, yes but in another way, we could do so much better. We have so many people playing this sport, we have great talent but no system, which makes me feel sad,” Nagal added.
Next match he will play Austria’s player Thiem, who went ahead as his Spanish rival Jaume Munar withdrew before the third set was underway.
Thiem led 7-6(6) 6-3 when Munar found it hard to carry on as he injured his knee during the second set.
“I am ready and excited to play him. It’s going to be fun and see where I stand in terms of my tennis level,” he said.
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