Tennis

India's top singles player Sumit Nagal will embark on his Paris Olympics campaign with a challenging first-round encounter against French opponent Corentin Moutet. Nagal, currently ranked 80th in the world, holds a 2-2 head-to-head record against Moutet, who is ranked 68th.If Nagal emerges victorious from the opening round, he could potentially face a formidable opponent in the second round: Australian world number six Alex di Minaur. Di Minaur, who reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals this year, withdrew from his last-eight clash against Novak Djokovic due to a hip injury.In the men's doubles, Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji will face the French team of Fabien Reboul and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Bopanna, a seasoned doubles specialist, has previously partnered with Roger-Vasselin on the ATP Tour.This Olympics marks Bopanna's final opportunity to secure an Olympic medal. In 2016, he narrowly missed out on a podium finish, placing fourth in the mixed doubles event with Sania Mirza.Nagal's Olympic debut is a significant milestone for Indian tennis. His performance in Paris will be closely watched by fans and experts alike, as he aims to make a deep run in the tournament and potentially challenge some of the world's top players.

World No. 2 Jannik Sinner faced a daunting challenge against Corentin Moutet on Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros. Despite struggling with a hip injury, Sinner had cruised through his previous matches. However, Moutet, ranked 79th, stunned the crowd by racing to a 4-0 lead in the first set.The Parisian crowd erupted in a mix of excitement and disbelief as Moutet threatened to pull off a major upset. Sinner's first-serve percentage plummeted to 59%, giving Moutet ample opportunities to attack. The Italian seemed out of sorts, struggling to find his rhythm.But as the first set reached its conclusion, Sinner's resolve hardened. He tightened his serve, increasing his first-serve percentage to 78% in the fourth set. This tactical adjustment kept Moutet at bay, silencing the Chatrier faithful.Sinner surged through the next three sets, brushing aside the lone break point he faced. He displayed his trademark power and precision, dictating the pace of the match. Moutet, despite his valiant effort, was unable to sustain his early momentum.In the end, Sinner completed a remarkable 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 comeback, advancing to the quarterfinals. He will face No. 10 seed Grigor Dimitrov, who defeated No. 8 seed Hubert Hurkacz in a thrilling three-set battle.Sinner's victory was a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite facing adversity, he refused to give up, showcasing the mental fortitude that has made him one of the most promising players in the world.

In the captivating opening day clash at Roland Garros, French clay-court specialist Corentin Moutet faces off against Chilean giant Nicolas Jarry. Despite his lower world ranking of 79th, Moutet has proven his prowess on clay, having defeated Jarry in their previous encounter in Chile.Moutet's fiery personality and impressive clay-court record make him a formidable opponent. The home crowd at Court Simonne-Mathieu will provide him with an electrifying atmosphere, further boosting his confidence. The slower court speeds in Paris will also favor Moutet's game, allowing him to neutralize Jarry's powerful serve.While Jarry possesses an exceptional serve, Moutet's return game has improved significantly. Jarry's break percentage remains low, indicating that Moutet can hold his serve effectively. Additionally, Moutet's ability to read Jarry's serve and block it back into play will be crucial in this match.Moutet's strategy will likely involve avoiding Jarry's forehand, which is his most potent weapon. However, Jarry's tendency to overhit forehands under pressure could prove detrimental. Moutet's smart play and ability to exploit Jarry's weaknesses make him a strong contender in this match.Overall, this encounter promises to be a close battle. Moutet's home advantage, clay-court expertise, and Jarry's potential for nerves could all play a role in determining the outcome.

Tennis: Moutet's Ringing Phone Interrupts Djokovic Clash in RomeIn a bizarre incident at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia on Friday, Corentin Moutet's ringing phone interrupted his second-round match against world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.With the score poised at deuce in the first game of the second set, play was halted as the crowd at Campo Centrale searched for the source of the sound. Moutet, the 25-year-old lucky loser, quickly realized it was his phone and sprinted to his bench to silence it.The incident drew laughter from the crowd, Djokovic, and umpire Carlos Bernardes. Moutet even pretended to answer the phone before silencing it, eliciting more amusement from the fans.Djokovic took the interruption in stride, winning five straight games to take the first set. He lost just one game in the second set, securing a 6-3, 6-1 victory."Corentin is a very talented player, has great hands and is very unpredictable," Djokovic said after the match. "You don't know what comes up next, and I had to stay focused, which I did."Ringing phones are not uncommon at tennis events, but it is rare for players to be the source of the interruption. However, this is not the first time a French player has experienced such an incident. Twelve years ago, Alizé Cornet's phone rang as she faced match point against Caroline Wozniacki in Bastad, Sweden. Earlier this year, Harold Mayot's phone went off during his match with Cameron Norrie in Barcelona.The lighthearted moment was followed by a more concerning incident for Djokovic. As he left the court after the match, he was struck in the head by a water bottle while signing autographs. He received medical attention and was able to leave the court on his own.