Tennis

India's top-ranked tennis player, Sumit Nagal, suffered a disappointing defeat in the final of the Perugia Challenger on Sunday, losing in straight sets to Luciano Darderi of Italy.Nagal, currently ranked 77th in the world, was outplayed by his higher-ranked opponent, who is ranked 41st. The Indian player struggled to find his rhythm throughout the match, losing 1-6, 2-6 in just over an hour.The defeat marks a setback for Nagal, who had been in impressive form this year. He had won the Chennai Challenger earlier in the season and reached the second round of the Australian Open, a historic achievement for an Indian player.Nagal had advanced to the final of the Perugia Challenger with a hard-fought victory over former world No. 37 Bernabe Zapata Miralles of Spain. However, he was unable to maintain his momentum against Darderi, who dominated the match from start to finish.Despite the loss, Nagal's performance this year has been encouraging. He has shown significant improvement in his game and has established himself as a rising star in the tennis world. He will be looking to bounce back from this defeat and continue his progress towards the top of the rankings.

Sumit Nagal's impressive run continues as he storms into the semi-finals of the Perugia Challenger. The sixth-seeded Indian displayed his dominance, overcoming the challenge of unseeded Maks Kasnikowski of Poland in straight sets 6-4, 7-5. This victory marks Nagal's eighth consecutive win since the start of the Heilbronn Challenger in Germany.Nagal's path to the semi-finals has been marked by consistent performances. In the opening round, he triumphed over unseeded Nerman Fatic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He then continued his winning streak against unseeded Alessandro Giannessi of Italy in the pre-quarterfinals.In the semi-final on Saturday, Nagal will face the winner of the quarterfinal clash between unseeded Bernabé Zapata Miralles of Spain and second seed Laslo Djere of Serbia. Nagal's impressive form has earned him a spot in the Paris Olympics next month, as he currently ranks 77th in the ATP Singles Ranking.Nagal's recent success is a testament to his hard work and dedication. His title triumph at the Heilbronn Challenger last week, his second Challenger title this season after the Chennai Challenger in February, has further solidified his position as a rising star in the tennis world.Nagal's consistent performances and impressive results have not only boosted his confidence but also raised expectations for his future endeavors. As he prepares for the semi-final in Perugia, Nagal will be determined to continue his winning streak and secure a spot in the final.