In the last qualifying round, Sumit Nagal defeated Argentina’s Facundo Diaz Acosta in a three-setter to become the first Indian player to join the Monte Carlo Masters singles main draw in forty-two years.After defeating Argentina’s Facundo Diaz Acosta in a three-setter in the final qualifying round on Sunday in Monte Carlo, Sumit Nagal qualified for the main draw of the Monte Carlo Masters singles tournament, making history for the first Indian to do so in 42 years. In a demanding encounter that lasted two hours and twenty-five minutes, Nagal, ranked 95th in the world, upset his opponent, ranked 55, 7-5 2-6 6-2. In the clay court tournament, he will play world no. 35 Matteo Arnaldi of Italy in the opening round of the main draw.
The 26-year-old Nagal was following in the footsteps of the famous Ramesh Krishnan, who had advanced to the main draw of the same tournament in 1982.
Nagal defeated world number 63 Flavio Cobolli of Italy 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the qualifying event.
“Thrilled to have made it to the main draw in Monte Carlo! I greatly appreciate the support and well wishes from India and around the world. “Can’t wait for my next match!,” Nagal tweeted following the victory.
Nagal has been in the spotlight since making it to the main draw of the Australian Open in January, where he had beaten Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan before bowing out in the second round.He then won the Chennai Open before competing in two more Challenger events, one ATP 500 competition (Dubai Championship), and two ATP 1000 Masters (Indian Wells and Miami).
