This is Sumit Nagal, who tries to belittle after recording the biggest win of his career so far.
The 23-year-old Indian scored his first Grand Slam victory by beating American Bradley Klahn 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the first round of the US Open in New York on Tuesday.
“It’s time to relax, but the feeling was definitely different when I was on the pitch. He was a little tense,” added India No. 1.
Returning to where he starred on a set with the legendary Roger Federer last year, Nagal took two hours and 12 minutes to wrap up his victory over Court 12.
The reward for sweet success is a face-off with world number 3 Dominic Thiem, who advanced 7-6, 6-3 after his opponent Jaume Munar of Spain retired due to a knee injury sustained. in the second set.
“I am ready and excited to play him (Thiem). It will be fun and see where I am in terms of the level of tennis,” Nagal, who had also stretched the Wawrinka stand the full distance in an ATP Challenger in Prague arriving at the US Open said of his next rival in the top 10.
“It’s my first (in A major), I definitely won’t forget it. Grinding in four sets, delayed rain, cloud, sun, wind … it was just a chaotic day but happy that it turned out in my favor.”
The last time an Indian recorded a single win in a Grand Slam was also in Flushing Meadows, when Somdev Devvarman beat Lucas Lacko (then world number 84) of the Czech Republic after qualifying in 2013.
Tripura’s son then lost to Andreas Seppi in the second round, pocketing $ 53,000.
On the other hand, Nagal is assured of $ 100,000 (Rs.73 lakh or so) for reaching round two, his largest salary yet, thanks to the revised cash prize structure under which first round winners will receive a larger share of the pot this year.
“Yeah, I’d say it’s a reward for all the hard work I’ve done and the hard week of training,” he said.
The start of the matches on the outdoor courts was delayed by the rain and the gusts of wind that continued throughout the day made it difficult and difficult for the players.
The industrious Nagal, with his coach Milos Galecic of the Nensel Tennis Academy in Germany on the side of the pitch, adapted to conditions more quickly than the local boy, the 2010 NCAA singles champion and owner of eight Challenger titles.
The Indian only delivered an ace, but is known more for his pace of work. He covered 2,490.6 meters of the court, while 30-year-old Klahn ran 2,278.3 meters.
Nagal was quick off the bat, riding an error-prone start from his rival to go back and take the first set in 23 minutes.
Left-handed Klahn dropped his serve in the third and fifth games with a series of unforced errors, double foul on the breakpoint in the fifth.
In the second set, Nagal continued to use Klahn’s wobbly serve to move up 4-2. He wasted a chance to close the set in game eight when he had three chances to break up again.
He ultimately served him in the next game for a two-set lead.
The American played a more stable game by winning the third set.
He broke Nagal in the eighth game, the Indian surrendered after being 40-15. Klahn took the set with an ace in the next.
Nagal quickly regained focus and made it through the fourth set in 28 minutes.
Overall, Nagal was the superior player of the two.
He had 80 percent (70/88) of his first serve times and won 77 percent of those points. He broke the California native six times, relinquishing his service only once.
Nagal only scored 17 winners compared to 30-year-old Klahn’s 32, but the former also made far fewer unforced errors – 17 against his rival’s 40.
India number 1 scored 116 points in total while Klahn claimed only 80.
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