Sumit Nagal climbs to World No. 141 in latest ATP rankings after runner-up finish in Helsinki
Ajay Gandhar
The Indian No. 1 has had a fabulous year in 2023.
India’s number one in men’s singles, Sumit Nagal, ended his 2023 season on a high note after finishing as the runners-up in the ATP Challenger 125 event, HPP Open, in Helsinki, Finland. Nagal, who started the tournament ranked 189, climbed 48 spots to finish the year at 141 in latest ATP rankings.
Nagal’s performance in Helsinki was nothing short of spectacular, as he defeated six higher-ranked opponents, including former world No. 25 Denis Novak in the first round. He also showed his mettle against the likes of Jakub Mensik and local favorite Emil Ruusuvuori, before cruising past Stefano Travaglia in the semifinals.
In the final, Nagal faced a tough challenge from France’s Corentin Moutet, a former top 100 player. Nagal fought back from a set down to level the match, but Moutet proved to be too strong in the decider, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.
Despite the loss, Nagal’s run in Helsinki was a remarkable achievement, marking yet another top performance in a landmark year for the 26-year-old. He also improved his record against top 100 players to 4-4 in 2023, with notable wins over Ricardas Berankis and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
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Nagal has been a consistent force on the ATP Challenger Tour this year, with two titles, runner-up finish in Helsinki, two semifinals, and six quarter-final appearances. His titles came at the Garden Open in Rome and at the Tampere Challenger in Finland, the former his first since 2019. The two title wins also made Nagal the first Indian ever to win two singles titles on European Clay in the same year.
Under the guidance of coach Sascha Nensel, Nagal has notably enhanced his game, especially on hard courts, accumulating 29 victories this season. His versatility was also evident by his finals appearance in the clay-court Challenger in Tulln, Austria, in September.
Currently, the highest-ranked Indian singles player, Nagal, ranks at No. 141. His sights are set on breaking into the top 100 for the first time in his career in the upcoming season, showcasing his determination to further elevate his position in the tennis world.
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