Sumit Nagal’s BNP Paribas Open campaign came to an abrupt end in the opening round, as he succumbed to a straight-set defeat against Canada’s Milos Raonic. The Indian tennis star, who entered the main draw as a “lucky loser” following Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal, was unable to match the power and precision of his opponent.
Nagal, ranked 101st in the ATP charts, struggled to find his rhythm against the experienced Raonic, who converted three of the 12 break points he earned. Nagal, on the other hand, failed to capitalize on the two break points he had. The match lasted one hour and 28 minutes, with Raonic dominating from start to finish.
Nagal’s main draw appearance was a result of Nadal’s last-minute withdrawal due to lack of readiness. The Spaniard has been battling injury issues and underwent hip surgery last season. Nagal had initially lost in the second round of the qualifying tournament but was given a lifeline when Nadal pulled out.
Despite the disappointing result, Nagal’s performance in recent months has been encouraging. He made a splash in January by reaching the second round of the Australian Open, a feat that helped him break into the top-100 of the ATP rankings.
If Nagal can maintain his current form and return to the top-100, he will have a chance to qualify for the Paris Olympics. The Indian tennis star has shown great potential and determination, and he will be hoping to build on his recent successes in the coming months.
