Sumit Nagal – A historical achievement after wait of 7 years

On Tuesday Sumit Nagpal became 2^nd Indian after a gap of 7 years to reach the second round of US Open 2020. This is an improvement wrt his last Grand Slam performance where he bowed out in first round but managed to win a set against a multi grand slam winner opponent.

Sumit Nagal  born on 16 August 1997 in Jaitpur, Haryana. He became 6^th Indian to win Junior Grand Slam Title  by winning Wimbledon Boys Doubles  in 2015.He made his davis cup debut for India in 2016.Year 2019  was a breakthrough year for him. At 2019 US Open he qualified to make it to main round.He faced Roger Federer in his debut match. Result was a foregone conclusion but he took a set of Federer that too on a break , a feat which was equivalent of winning an ATP Title.

He took on USA’s Bradley Klahn in first round of US Open 2020  and beat him in 4 sets to storm into the second round of Grand Slam. He became the first Indian to enter second round of a Grand Slam after a gap of 7 years.In 2013 season Somdev Devvarman reached second round of Australian,French and US Open. Nagal was off the blocks quickly and took the first two sets at 6-1,6-3. Klahn did managed to break Nagal twice and  win the third set. Match looked like one will go down to wire but Nagpal quashed such dreams by racing to a 5-0 lead to win the set at 6-1 and wrap up the match in 4 sets. The manner of his victory should give him the confidence and belief that he can compete at Grand Slams. He will next face last year runner up Dominic Thiem. It can be called as David Vs Goliath Battle but he should enter the game with mindset of giving his best as he has nothing to loose and everyrthing to gain only.