Sumit Nagal Makes History at Australian Open with Victory over Alexander Bublik

Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal created history at the Australian Open as he defeated Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik in a stunning straight sets victory. The world No. 137 Nagal registered a 6-4, 6-2, 7(7)-6(5) triumph over his 27th-ranked opponent, marking his first-ever appearance in the second round of a Grand Slam tournament.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that it has been 35 years since an Indian singles player last defeated a seeded opponent in a Grand Slam. Ramesh Krishnan was the last Indian player to achieve this feat, defeating top seed and defending champion Mats Wilander in the second round of the 1989 Australian Open.

Sumit Nagal started the match strong, capitalizing on a couple of double faults from Bublik to secure an early break in the first set. He maintained control throughout the set, breaking Bublik three times in total and winning the set 6-4.

In the second set, Nagal continued to dominate, breaking Bublik’s serve twice and winning the set comfortably with a score of 6-2.

The third set proved to be more challenging, with Bublik showing resilience and mounting a comeback to level the scores at 5-5. However, Nagal remained composed and broke Bublik’s serve in the seventh game. Despite some resistance from Bublik, Nagal held his nerve and forced a tie-breaker. Nagal led 3-0 in the tie-breaker and eventually clinched the victory with his third matchpoint opportunity.

This remarkable win at the Australian Open comes after Nagal successfully made it through the qualifying rounds to secure his place in the main draw. It is worth noting that Nagal previously made it to the main draw of the 2021 Australian Open but lost in the first round.

Sumit Nagal’s historic victory has put Indian tennis in the spotlight and serves as an inspiration for aspiring players in the country. With his skill and determination, Nagal has shown that Indian players have the potential to compete at the highest level of the sport and make their mark on the international stage.