MONTE CARLO, April 8: India’s top singles player Sumit Nagal shocked world number 38 Matteo Arnaldi in a gruelling three-set contest to earn his maiden main draw win at an ATP Masters event in Monte Carlo on Monday.
The top Indian singles player, who entered the ATP Masters 1000 event via qualifying route, erased a one-set deficit to turn the tables on his Italian opponent for a memorable 5-7 6-2 6-4 win in the first round. He will next take on world number seven Holger Rune from Denmark.
The first set was on even keel with both players breaking each other once.
Serving to stay in the set, Nagal lost his serve in the 12th game with Arnaldi attacking the Indian’s first serve.
However, Nagal remained unperturbed and broke his rival twice in the second set for a comfortable 4-1 lead.
His serve came under pressure in game six but he held and closed the set force a decider.
After trading a break with Arnaldi, Nagal broke his rival’s serve for the second time in the seventh game of the thrid set to take a 4-3 lead and that proved to be decisive in the final outcome of the match.
He consolidated the lead by pocketing the eighth game and served out the match in game 10. (PTI)
