India’s number one male tennis player has stormed into the second round of the US Open.
This is the biggest win of his career so far, beating American Bradley Klahn, having taken a set off Roger Federer during last’ edition.
While trying to play down his achievement, Nagal, who is ranked 122 on the ATP Ranking, said he is just chilling and doing things.
His first win in a Grand Slam came on Tuesday against the American ranked 128 on the ATP ranking. The 23-year-old won the clash 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to advance to the second round.
After the win, Nagal said the feeling is different and intense as soon as he got unto the court.
He overcame his opponent in the same venue where he hit the headlines last year by sending Klhan home in a match that lasted two hours and 12 minutes.
He took to his Twitter to also celebrate the victory, saying it was a special moment he will never forget.
He has now booked a date with World No. 3 Dominic Thiem. Thiem advanced into the second round courtesy of a 7-6, 6-3 win against Jaume Munar of Spain. The Spaniard retired from the game with a knee injury he suffered in the second set.
Nagal says he is ready and excited to play against the world number, adding that It will be fun. He said that the challenge would help him see how he has improved on his tennis level after stretching the Prague Open winner, Stans Wawrinka, in the semi-final.
While expressing his excitement that the first round game turned out in his favour despite playing four sets amidst rain delay and other weather conditions, Nagal will be hoping to upset the tournament’s odds when he comes up against Thiem.
Somdev Devvarman was the last Indian that recorded a singles win at a Grand Slam, which was coincidentally at Flushing Meadows. Devvarman defeated Lucas Lacko, who was then World No. 84 after qualifying in 2013. He couldn’t go beyond the second round after losing to Andreas Seppi and pocketed $53,000.
Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed
