Sumit Nagal becomes first Indian in 42 years to qualify for Monte Carlo Masters singles main draw

1982 was the last time an Indian featured in the Monte Carlo Masters main draw.

India’s top-ranked tennis player, Sumit Nagal, has qualified for the main draw of the Monte Carlo Masters 2024. Sumit Nagal who has had a historic year defeated World No. 55 Facundo Diaz Acosta in a grueling match that ended 7-5, 2-6, 6-2.

This win is a significant achievement for Indian tennis, with Nagal being the first Indian player in 42 years to make it to the main draw of this clay-court tournament, a milestone previously reached by Ramesh Krishnan in 1982.

Despite trailing 2-5 in the first set, Nagal made a remarkable comeback by winning five games in a row to take the set. While he faced some challenges in the second set, Nagal’s determination was evident in the final set, where he managed to break Acosta’s serve twice and secure his spot in the main draw.

Sumit Nagal defeated Flavio Cobolii in the first round of the qualifiers, winning the clash 6-2, 6-3. His assertive style and precise groundstrokes forced the Italian opponent to remain defensive.

The 26-year-old Indian’s performance at the Monte Carlo Masters is part of a breakthrough season. Earlier this year, Nagal made headlines by qualifying for the Australian Open main draw, where he upset 31st-seeded Kazakh Alexander Bublik in the first round. He continued his ascent by winning the Chennai Open ATP Challenger, which propelled him into the top 100 of the ATP Rankings.

Nagal’s next challenge will be to surpass the first-round hurdle, a stage where Krishnan’s journey ended 42 years ago. With his current form and the momentum from recent victories, Nagal’s prospects look promising.

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