In a remarkable feat, Sumit Nagal etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian player in 42 years to secure a spot in the singles main draw of the prestigious Monte Carlo Masters. Facing off against Facundo Diaz Acosta of Argentina in a nail-biting final qualifying round, Nagal showcased his prowess on the court, clinching victory in a grueling three-setter that lasted two hours and 25 minutes. Despite the intense competition, Nagal, ranked 95th globally, outplayed his 55th-ranked opponent with a scoreline of 7-5, 2-6, 6-2.
Next up for Nagal is a showdown with Matteo Arnaldi of Italy, currently ranked 35th in the world, in the opening round of the clay court tournament. This remarkable achievement follows in the footsteps of the legendary Ramesh Krishnan, who achieved a similar feat back in 1982.
Nagal's journey to the main draw saw him overcome formidable opponents, including a victory over Flavio Cobolli of Italy, ranked 63rd globally, in the initial round of the qualifying event. Expressing his elation after securing his spot in the main draw, Nagal took to Twitter to thank his supporters from India and around the world, eagerly anticipating his next match.
This recent milestone adds to Nagal's growing reputation, particularly after his notable performance in the Australian Open earlier this year, where he defeated Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan before exiting in the second round. Subsequently, Nagal claimed victory in the Chennai Open and participated in various other competitions, including two ATP 1000 Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami, further solidifying his presence in the international tennis scene.
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