Just a couple of years ago Sumit Nagal was down to $900, plagued by injuries and his ATP career was on the brink by his mid 20s. But he got a sponsor boost from Gatorade and got back on track, rebuilt his ranking from outside 500.
He qualified for his first AO main draw and yesterday he stunningly beat the 31 seed Alexander Bublik 64 62 75 for his second career Grand Slam main draw win. Now the diminutive Indian inspiration is into the second round of the Aussie Open for the first time. Also, it’s the first time any Indian player has beaten a seed at a Grand Slam in … 35 years.
It’s the story of the tournament so far, Sumit Nagal establishing himself as the early front runner for the ATP Comeback Player Of The Year award.
2023 finalist Elena Rybakina, wearing Yonex head to toe, improves to 4-0 against Karolína Plíšková with a 76(6), 64 win (saved three set points), will face Anna Blinkova next (AB won only meeting back in 2017. Last year Rybakina played her first rund match on court 13.
Jack Draper continued his progression into an ATP elite player by beating American Marcos Giron in five sets, 60 62 in the last two. Immediately after the net handshake, the Brit needed to run to a garbage can behind the umpire chair to vomit.
Rafael Nadal has been appointed an ambassador for Saudi Tennis, and is expected to open an Academy in Riyadh. This is a controversial move which so far hasn’t been condemned by the tenis media. Rafa made an appearance and there was no limping. He is expected to play in Doha next month.
Emma after her straight set 63 62 win vs Shelby Rogers: “My wrists have been really good actually. I don’t have any fear or or any restrictions or anything. My grip strength is higher than ever. It’s amazing to be pain free with the wrists.”
Lleyton Hewitt’s 15 year old son Cruz has been given a wildcard into the boys’ draw.
China has 9 players in the singles’ draw at AO 24 and interestingly, 5 of 9 of the first round matches are on court no. 7. After Bai and Wang Xinyu lost yesterday, Zhizhen Zhang won in straight sets over Federico Cora at court 7 for his first AO win. Will play Humbert or Goffin next. Juncheng Shang beat Mackenzie McDonald in five sets.
Australian Croatia-born Ajla Tomljanovic defeated Croatian Petra Martic in three sets. After the elimination of Cilic, Coric, Prizmic and Vekic, there will be no Croatian in the AO second round singles draw, man or women.
AO · Emma Raducanu · India · Sumit Nagal
