In a disappointing turn of events at the ongoing US Open, Sumit Nagal, India’s highest-ranked male tennis player in the men’s singles category, crashed out in the first round. Nagal faced a tough opponent in Tallon Griekspoor from the Netherlands and lost in straight sets 6-1, 6-3, 7-6.
The match started with Griekspoor showcasing sheer dominance in the opening set. He broke Nagal’s serve multiple times, eventually winning the set 6-1. Griekspoor, ranked 40th in the world, continued to assert his dominance in the second set as well, keeping Nagal on the backfoot. Despite Nagal’s improved performance, Griekspoor secured the set with a score of 6-3.
Aware of the possibility of an early exit, Nagal raised his game in the third set. He had two set points in the tie-breaker, presenting an opportunity to stay in the contest. However, Griekspoor delivered a perfectly timed ace to narrow the margin and eventually closed out the set, sealing Nagal’s fate in the tournament.
This marked Nagal’s third appearance in the main draw at the US Open, with previous appearances in 2019 and 2020. Unfortunately, the 27-year-old has had a forgettable season so far. He struggled to progress beyond the second round at the Australian Open and faced early exits at both the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships.
Nagal’s disappointment continued at the Paris Olympics, where he suffered a first-round defeat against Frenchman Corentin Moutet. The match ended with a score of 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 in favor of Moutet, leading to Nagal’s elimination from the tournament.
Despite Nagal’s early exit, India’s hopes at the US Open are not completely diminished. Rohan Bopanna, Yuki Bhambri, and N Sriram Balaji are set to begin their campaigns in the men’s doubles category alongside their respective partners.
The US Open 2024 continues to offer thrilling matches and unpredictable results, keeping tennis fans on the edge of their seats. As the tournament progresses, anticipation grows for the successes and challenges that lie ahead for the remaining Indian players in their respective categories.
