Former champions of the Junior Wimbledon competition Sumit Nagal has secured himself a place in the main draw of the US Open 2019. This will be his debut appearance in any Grand Slam tournament. Sumit had booked a place for himself in the main draw by beating Joao Menezes of Brazil in the qualifiers of the US Open 2019 in New York on Friday.
Sumit Nagal, world no 190, edged past Joao Menezes in a three-set clash in which the Indian tennis player had lost the first set. However, he stitched a memorable comeback to clinch the match 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. At one point, Sumit was trailing 1-4 even in the second set and it looked like he might have to wait for his turn to feature in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament, however, a strong comeback meant he will have to wait no further.
Sumit Nagal will meet Roger Federer in the first round of the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday. Nagal had beaten higher-ranked players on his way to qualifiers finals. Prajnesh Gunneswar and Sumit Nagal are the two Indians who will feature in the main draw of the US Open Men’s Single category.
The last time two Indian men’s singles players were part of the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament was in 1998 and the players were none other than the Indian duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes who featured in 1998 Wimbledon.
Nagal, meanwhile, is excited and elated and is looking forward to play the “God” of tennis.
“It means a lot. Everyone dreams about this. I played well in Qualifiers. Every match meant something, I had some history with all of them. It was a roller-coaster. Of course, I am super happy. I don’t even know what to say,” Nagal told PTI.
“It will be a great opportunity to play Roger at Arthur Ashe stadium. It’s probably the best thing that could have happened. I was hoping I get to play Roger someday. He is God of tennis, so yeah I am looking forward to it,” he added.