Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal scripted a dream start to his Monte Carlo Masters campaign, defeating rising Italian talent Matteo Arnaldi in a captivating first-round encounter. The final scoreline read 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, showcasing a match filled with ebbs and flows.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Nagal. He was already the first Indian player since Ramesh Krishnan in 1982 to reach the main draw at the prestigious clay-court tournament.
The opening set belonged to the Italian Arnaldi. His powerful groundstrokes found their mark, keeping Nagal on the backfoot. He won the first set 7-5.
However, the Indian no 1 fought back in the second set and won it convincingly 6-2 to force a decider.
The tension escalated in the deciding set. Both players displayed nerves of steel, trading baseline rallies laced with moments of brilliance. Nagal, however, proved to be the steadier player down the stretch. He broke Arnaldi’s serve twice, in the 3rd and the 6th game, showcasing his fighting spirit. Serving for the match at 5-4, Nagal finally sealed the win, sending the Indian contingent into a frenzy.
This hard-fought victory is a testament to Nagal’s perseverance and his amazing clay-court game. He now sets his sights on the second round, where he is to face a stern test against the in-form Danish player Holger Rune.
Nagal’s success at the Monte Carlo Masters has not only filled Indian tennis fans with pride but has also reignited hopes for a strong showing on the clay courts.
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