Sumit Nagal clinches Rome ATP Challenger title, India's first on European clay

This is also the 25-year-old's third ATP Challenger title and first in four years.

Sumit Nagal creates history by becoming the first Indian man to win ATP Challenger on European Clay. The Indian tennis number 1 defeated Jesper De Jong (6-3,6-2) in the final of the ATP 75 Rome Challenger. This is also his first ATP Challenger title since Buenos Aires 2019. 

The clay specialist entered the tournament as the qualifier and had to win two qualifying matches to enter the main draw. He had smooth sailing in the initial rounds and did not drop a set until the semi-finals. The match against Joris De Loore in the semi-finals was contested for close to three hours and in the end, Nagal came out victorious in a three-setter. 

Higher-ranked Jesper De Jong was the favourite to win the final. The Dutch athlete did not lose a single set en route to the final. Nagal, World No. 347, opened his account by breaking Jong’s serve and started the final on a positive note. The Dutch fought back hard but couldn't break Nagal’s momentum to lose the match in straight sets.

The Jhajjar-born athlete is set to re-enter the top 300 in the ATP singles rankings (currently placed 254th in the live rankings).

Achievements

Third ATP Challenger title (Bangalore, Buenos Aires, and Rome)

First Indian to win an ATP Challenger title (singles) on any surface since Ramkumar Ramanathan (Manama 2021)

First Indian to win ATP Challenger on European Clay

Sumit Nagal’s Performance at the ATP 75 Rome Challenger

Qualifier 1 - defeats Jacopo Berrettini (6-4, 6-1)

Qualifier 2 - defeats Viktor Durasovic (7-5, 5-7, 6-2)

Round 1 - defeats Francesco Maestrelli (6-4, 6-2)

Round 2 - defeats Fausto Tabacco (6-3, 6-0)

Quarter-finals - defeats Max Houkes (7-5, 6-0)

Semi-finals - defeats Joris De Loore (2-6, 7-5, 6-4)

Final - defeats Jesper De Jong (6-4, 6-2)