Tennis
Sumit Nagal upsets Adrian Mannarino to qualify for Auckland ATP main draw
Sumit Nagal stunned world No. 66 Adrian Mannarino to qualify for the ATP 250 Auckland main draw with a straight-sets victory.
"Each comeback taught me more about myself and my love for the game," says Sumit Nagal. (Photo credit: Reuters)
Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal secured an impressive victory against world No. 66 Adrian Mannarino of France to qualify for the main draw of the ATP 250 tournament in Auckland, on Sunday.
The 26-year-old defeated the crafty Frenchman 7-6(5), 6-3 in the final round of qualifiers. This win marks a return to form for Nagal, who overcame a significant challenge in the first set.
A Brilliant Comeback
Trailing 1-5 in the tiebreak, Nagal won six consecutive points to clinch the set, demonstrating his fighting spirit.
He carried this momentum into the second set, breaking Mannarino’s rhythm to seal the match.
With this victory, Nagal notched his 13th career win against a Top 100 player and his seventh-best win regarding opponent ranking.
Mannarino, a former world No. 17, struggled to counter Nagal’s consistent baseline play and sharp shot-making.
By advancing to the main draw, Nagal continues his quest for success on the ATP Tour, aiming to build on his current world ranking of 98.
This result also highlights his capability to compete against higher-ranked players, adding another feather to his cap.
This victory follows another strong performance by Nagal in his first qualifier against Alexander Klintcharov of New Zealand.
Despite a slow start, Nagal turned the match around with a dominating second and third set, winning 1-6, 6-3, 6-1.
All eyes will now be on Nagal as he prepares for the main draw in Auckland, where he hopes to carry forward this momentum.
