NEW DELHI: India's Sumit Nagal showcased remarkable resilience as he fiercely contested against world number seven, Holger Rune, in the rain-interrupted second round match of the Monte Carlo Masters in Monte Carlo on Thursday.
Nagal, displaying an impressive blend of determination and tenacity, posed a significant challenge to Rune's dominance by clinching the second set after the match, which was halted due to rain the previous day, resumed. However, despite his valiant efforts, Nagal faltered in the final set, losing his serve twice.
The Indian qualifier found himself trailing 1-2 against the seventh seed, Rune, in the second set when the inclement weather intervened. Ultimately, Nagal succumbed to a 3-6, 6-3, 2-6 defeat after an intense battle lasting two hours and 11 minutes on the prestigious clay court.
Nonetheless, Nagal etched his name in the records by becoming the first Indian to win a singles main draw match at a Masters event on clay.
Nagal's remarkable journey at the Roquebrune-Cap-Martin clay court saw him defeat formidable opponents, including the eighth-seeded Flavio Cobolli in the qualifiers, followed by a triumph over third-seeded Facundo Diaz Acosto to secure a spot in the main draw.
In a stunning display of skill and determination, he then overcame Italian Matteo Arnaldi in the first round with a hard-fought 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 victory.
Meanwhile, India's Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner, Matthew Ebden, faced disappointment in the round of 16 men's doubles match, succumbing to Mate Pavic of Croatia and Marcelo Arévalo of El Salvador with a score of 3-6, 6-7 (6-8).
(With PTI inputs)
