Australian Open: Sumit Nagal Shocks World No. 27 Alexander Bublik in Straight Sets

India’s Sumit Nagal defeated Kazakhstan’s World No. 27 Alexander Bublik in the first round of the Australian Open.

Nagal, ranked 137 in the world, defeated Bublik 6-4 6-2 7-6(7-5) in a two hour and 38 minute encounter.

Nagal’s stellar performance against Bublik showcased his ability to handle the pressure of high-stakes matches. Despite Bublik’s higher rank, Nagal dominated the proceedings, breaking early in the first and second sets. The third set brought its share of drama as Bublik fought back, forcing a tie-breaker. Nagal, however, maintained composure, ultimately securing victory after a double fault from his opponent.

This was the 26-year-olds’ second grand slam main draw victory, after he had defeated Bradley Klahn at the 2020 US Open, before facing eventual champion Dominic Thiem.

The significance of Nagal’s win extends beyond his achievements, as he became the first Indian in 36 years to defeat a seeded player in Grand Slam men’s singles since Ramesh Krishnan’s triumph over Mats Wilander at the 1988 Australian Open.

This would be Nagal’s first ever progression to the Australian Open second round. In 2021, he had lost to Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis in the opening round 2-6, 5-7, 3-6.

Nagal’s win, his first Nagal’s first victory against a Top 50 player, is historic as he becomes only the fifth Indian men’s singles player to reach the second round of the Australian Open singles event.

Nagal was off to an impressive start as he broke Bublik in the first game of the match but he also failed to hold on to his own serve next as the scoreline read 1-1.

The Indian then broke his opponent’s serve twice later in the first set to take it 6-4 in 42 minutes.

Nagal played even better in the second set as he broke serve of his opponent twice while holding his own all through to win 6-2 in 43 minutes.

In the third set, both the players held their serve till the seventh game when Nagal broke his opponent to take a 4-3 lead. He then cruised ahead at 5-3.

The Indian then served for the match at 5-4 but failed to hold. The third set then went to the tie-breaker which Nagal eventually winning 7-5.

The Indian star player had entered the singles main draw of the Australian Open with an easy win over Slovakia’s Alex Molcan in the tournament’s qualifying final. Nagal had cruised past Molcan 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and three minutes, and won the match after his opponent double faulted at 30-40 in the 10th game of the second set.

(With inputs from Agencies)