Indian tennis star Yuvan Nandal made a strong start to the $25,000 ITF men’s tournament in Brazzaville, Congo, on Tuesday, defeating Mehluli Sibanda of Zimbabwe in the first round.
Nandal, ranked 1034th in the world, faced a tough challenge from Sibanda, who is ranked 1144th. However, the Indian player displayed his superior skills and experience to secure a hard-fought 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 victory.
In the first set, Sibanda started strongly and took an early lead. Nandal fought back, but Sibanda held on to win the set 7-5. Undeterred, Nandal regrouped in the second set and dominated his opponent, winning it 6-0.
The third set was a closely contested affair, with both players trading blows. Nandal eventually broke Sibanda’s serve in the eighth game and held on to his own serve to seal the match 6-4.
Nandal’s victory sets him up for a second-round clash against Isaac Bokungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bokungu, ranked 1200th in the world, advanced to the second round with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Aditya Balsekar of India.
In the doubles competition, the Indian pair of Anurag Agarwal and Kacper Szymkowiak of Poland defeated Parth Aggarwal and Abraham Asaba of Ghana 7-5, 6-4 in the pre-quarterfinals. Another Indian duo, Rishab Agarwal and Eric Vanshelboim of Ukraine, also advanced to the pre-quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Prakaash Sarran and Drona Walia.
