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.

India's Sumit Nagal has made significant strides in his tennis career, climbing 18 places to 77th in the latest ATP rankings released on June 10. This impressive jump has all but secured his spot in the men's singles draw at the upcoming Paris Olympics.Nagal's rise in the rankings is largely attributed to his recent triumph at the Heilbronn Neckarcup 2024 Challenger event in Germany. In a thrilling three-set final, he defeated Switzerland's Alexander Ritschard 6-1, 6(5)-7, 6-3. The victory earned him 713 ATP points, propelling him up the rankings ladder.The Paris Olympics will feature a 56-player draw for both men's and women's singles. According to established criteria, the top 56 players in the rankings will automatically qualify for the Games. However, a maximum of four players from any single country can make the cut. This rule provides an opportunity for lower-ranked players like Nagal to secure a spot in the draw.With his current ranking, Nagal is well-positioned to claim the last available ranking-enabled spot. The last time India had a player in the Olympics main draw was in 2012, when Somdev Devvarman earned a wildcard entry.Nagal's victory in Heilbronn was his sixth ATP Challenger title and his second of the year, following his triumph at the Chennai Open earlier this year. The 26-year-old is currently the highest-ranked Indian singles player and has won four ATP Challenger titles since 2023. Notably, his win in Heilbronn was his fourth title on clay tennis courts.Nagal's success is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He expressed his elation after his victory in Heilbronn, stating, "I'm proud to have produced my best tennis when it mattered the most." He also emphasized the importance of playing good tennis, regardless of rankings.Nagal's qualification for the Paris Olympics would be a significant milestone for Indian tennis. It would mark the first time since 2012 that India has a player in the men's singles draw at the Games. Nagal's presence in Paris would not only inspire young Indian tennis players but also showcase the growing strength of Indian tennis on the international stage.

India's top-ranked singles player Sumit Nagal faces a daunting task in the opening round of the French Open as he is set to take on world number 18 Karen Khachanov of Russia on Sunday. Nagal, ranked 94th in the world, earned a direct entry into the main draw of the Grand Slam after his consistent performances on the tour. He became the first Indian male player to qualify for the French Open main draw since Prajnesh Gunneswaran in 2019.However, Nagal's form leading up to the clay Grand Slam has been far from ideal. He lost to Holger Rune in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters, before missing the Madrid and Rome Masters. The 26-year-old then made first-round exits from the Bordeaux Challenger and Geneva Open earlier this month.On the other hand, Khachanov, who has been seeded 18th, had reached the quarterfinals last year. He won the Qatar Open 250 in February and enjoys an impressive 21-7 record this season.Nagal's match against Khachanov will be a stern test for the Indian, who has never faced the Russian before. Khachanov is a powerful hitter with a big serve, and he will be looking to use his experience and ranking advantage to his benefit.Nagal, however, is known for his fighting spirit and determination. He has a strong baseline game and is capable of producing some stunning shots. If he can stay focused and play to his strengths, he has a chance of causing an upset.The match is scheduled to be played on Court number 7 at the Roland Garros in Paris, France, on Sunday, May 27. It will start after 3:45 PM IST and will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network. It will also be streamed live on SonyLIV app and website.

Sumit Nagal, India's rising tennis star, has made history by becoming the first Indian man to qualify for the main draw at the French Open since 2019. Nagal's journey to Roland Garros has been marked by remarkable achievements, including his stunning victory over Alexander Bublik at the Australian Open earlier this year.Nagal's triumph in Melbourne not only made him the first Indian man to win a main draw match at the Australian Open in 11 years but also broke a 35-year-old record by defeating a seeded player in the singles draw of a grand slam. This feat propelled him to a career-best ranking of No. 80 and earned him direct entry to the French Open.Nagal's preparation for Roland Garros has been impressive, with strong performances on clay at the Monte Carlo Masters. He defeated Matteo Arnaldi and took a set off world No. 7 Holger Rune before succumbing to a heartbreaking loss.Despite facing a tough opening match against World No. 18 Karen Khachanov, Nagal's supporters remain optimistic about his chances. Former India No. 1 Somdev Devvarman believes that Nagal has the potential to pull off an upset."It's a huge challenge, but I'd like to see a fight. I think Sumit has it in him," said Devvarman. "If he plays well, really well, he'll give himself a chance."Nagal's success has not been limited to the French Open. He has also secured a main-draw appearance at the prestigious Wimbledon Championships, becoming the first Indian man to feature in the singles event in five years.However, Devvarman cautions that Nagal still has time before he can start regularly winning main-draw matches at grand slams. "It'll take a little bit of time," he said. "But over the course of his career, if he gets 20 main draws or 25, that would be a good place to begin."Nagal's journey is a testament to his skill, determination, and the growing strength of Indian tennis. As he takes on the world's best at Roland Garros, the nation will be cheering him on, hoping that he can continue to make history.

Sumit Nagal, India's top-ranked men's singles tennis player, has secured a spot in the main draw of the prestigious Wimbledon Championship. This marks a significant milestone for Indian tennis, as Nagal becomes the first Indian in five years to qualify for the main draw of the men's singles event at Wimbledon.Nagal's qualification comes after a string of impressive performances on the ATP Challenger Tour. He recently reached the semifinals of the Challenger tournament in Ostrava, Czech Republic, and the quarterfinals of the Challenger tournament in Heilbronn, Germany.Nagal's journey to Wimbledon has been marked by determination and perseverance. He has been working tirelessly to improve his game and has been training with some of the best players in the world, including Novak Djokovic.Nagal's qualification for Wimbledon is a testament to his hard work and dedication. It is also a source of inspiration for aspiring tennis players in India and around the world.In addition to Wimbledon, Nagal is also preparing for the upcoming French Open. He recently trained with Djokovic in Paris in preparation for the Grand Slam event.Nagal's performance at Wimbledon and the French Open will be closely watched by tennis fans in India and around the world. He has the potential to make a deep run in both tournaments and continue to raise the profile of Indian tennis.

India's top-ranked singles player Sumit Nagal's hopes of a deep run at the Geneva Open were dashed in the first round as he succumbed to a fighting defeat against Argentina's Sebastian Baez. The world no. 94 went down 6-7 (7) 3-6 to the Argentine, a clay court specialist, in a match that lasted one hour and 52 minutes.Nagal started the match brightly, taking an early 4-1 lead over Baez and even earning a set point. However, the world no. 19 Baez, who has already won two titles on clay this season, showcased his class to force a tiebreaker, thanks to his exceptional first serve performance.In the second set, Baez continued to rely on his superb first serve, wrapping up the proceedings in just 38 minutes. Nagal, who has qualified for the upcoming French Open, expressed his disappointment on Twitter after the loss: "Gutted with the loss today. But good preparation ahead of Roland Garros. Paris next."Despite the setback, Nagal's performance in Geneva provides valuable preparation for the French Open, where he will be aiming to make a strong showing. The Indian ace has been in impressive form this season, reaching the semifinals of the ATP Challenger event in Bengaluru and the quarterfinals of the ATP Challenger event in Ostrava.Baez, on the other hand, continues his impressive run on clay this season. The Argentine has won two ATP Challenger titles on the surface and reached the semifinals of the ATP 250 event in Cordoba. He will be looking to carry his momentum into the French Open, where he will be aiming to make a deep run.

The French Open 2024, the second Grand Slam of the year, is set to commence on May 26 at the iconic Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. The tournament will witness the return of tennis legends and the emergence of rising stars.Men's Singles: Nadal and Djokovic Headline ContendersThe men's singles draw is headlined by the 'King of Clay' Rafael Nadal, who has won a record 14 French Open titles. Despite missing the tournament last year due to injury, Nadal remains a formidable force on the Parisian clay. His arch-rival, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, will also be vying for his third French Open title. Djokovic's victory last year marked his 24th Grand Slam men's singles title, surpassing Nadal's record.Other contenders include world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, who reached the semi-finals last year, and former US champion Daniil Medvedev. Former Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner and two-time French Open runner-up Casper Ruud are also expected to challenge for the title.Indian Presence: Sumit Nagal Makes HistoryIndian tennis player Sumit Nagal has made history by becoming the first Indian male player to qualify for the French Open main draw since 2019. Nagal's career-high world ranking of 80 earned him a spot in the tournament. He recently stunned world No. 38 Matteo Arnaldi at the Monte Carlo Masters, becoming the first Indian to qualify for the main draw of an ATP Masters 1000 tournament in 42 years.Men's Doubles: Bopanna and Ebden Among FavoritesIn the men's doubles, veteran Rohan Bopanna and his partner Matthew Ebden of Australia are among the title favorites. The reigning Australian Open champions are seeded second behind Marcel Granollers of Spain and Horacio Zeballos of Argentina. Other Indian players competing in the men's doubles include Yuki Bhambri, Sumit Nagal, Sriram Balaji, Anirudh Chandrasekar, Arjun Kadhe, Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli, and Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha.Women's Singles: Swiatek Leads the ChargeThe women's singles draw is led by world No. 1 and three-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek of Poland. Swiatek is in dominant form, having won the French Open in 2022 and 2023, as well as the Madrid Open earlier this month. However, she will face stiff competition from the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina.

Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal has achieved a new career-high men's singles ranking of 80 in the latest ATP Rankings released on Monday. This remarkable feat comes on the heels of his impressive performance at the Monte Carlo Masters, where he became the first Indian to win an ATP Masters 1000 match on clay since the series' inception in 1990.Nagal's journey to the Monte Carlo Masters began with victories over Italy's Flavio Cobolli and Argentina's Facundo Diaz Acosta in the qualifying rounds. He then made history by defeating World No. 38 Matteo Arnald of Italy in the opening round of the main draw, becoming only the third Indian to compete in the main draw of a Masters event on clay.Despite a second-round loss to seventh-seeded Holger Rune, Nagal's performance at the Monte Carlo Masters has propelled him up 13 spots in the ATP Rankings. He is now the seventh highest-ranked Indian in men's singles, joining an illustrious group that includes Vijay Amritraj, Ramesh Krishnan, Somdev Devvarman, Sashi Menon, Anand Amritraj, and Prajnesh Gunneswaran.Nagal's rise in the rankings is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has consistently performed well on the ATP Challenger Tour, winning multiple titles and reaching several finals. His success at the Monte Carlo Masters has further solidified his status as one of India's most promising tennis players.Meanwhile, Rohan Bopanna has lost the No. 1 spot in the men's doubles ranking to his Australian partner, Matthew Ebden, after the duo was eliminated in the Round of 16 of the Monte Carlo Masters. Bopanna and Ebden had held the top spot for several weeks, but their recent loss has allowed Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski to reclaim the No. 1 ranking.Despite the setback, Bopanna remains one of the most successful doubles players in the world. He has won 23 ATP doubles titles, including two Grand Slams, and has reached the finals of all four Grand Slams. He is also a former World No. 3 in doubles.