Sumit Nagal on Monday grew to become the primary Indian participant to win a singles essential draw match at an ATP Masters occasion on clay when he shocked world quantity 38 Matteo Arnaldi in a gruelling three-set contest in Monte Carlo. Nagal, who entered the ATP Masters 1000 occasion by way of qualifying route, erased a one-set deficit to show the tables on his Italian opponent for a memorable 5-7 6-2 6-4 win within the first spherical. He will subsequent tackle world quantity seven Holger Rune from Denmark.

This is Nagal’s third victory over a top-50 participant and second time within the present season. The 26-year-old had toppled the then world quantity 27 Alexander Bublik in straight units on the Australian Open in Melbourne initially of the 2024 season.

He had additionally defeated then world No. 22 Chilean Cristian Garin in Argentina Open in March 2021.

Nagal, who certified into the principle draw with wins over higher-ranked gamers, has ensured himself a career-high rank of 80 on a day when he touched career-high rank of 93.

Nagal had additionally certified for the Indian Wells Masters in March this 12 months however fell to formidable Canadian Milos Raonic within the first spherical. He had additionally competed within the Qualifiers of the Miami Masters however couldn’t make the principle draw.

The first set was on even keel with each gamers breaking one another as soon as. Serving to remain within the set, Nagal misplaced his serve within the twelfth sport with Arnaldi attacking the Indian’s first serve.

However, Nagal remained unperturbed and broke his rival twice within the second set for a cushty 4-1 lead. His serve got here below strain in sport six however he held and closed the set power a decider.

After buying and selling a break with Arnaldi, Nagal broke his rival’s serve for the second time within the seventh sport of the third set to take a 4-3 lead and that proved to be decisive within the remaining end result of the match. He consolidated the lead by pocketing the eighth sport and served out the match in sport 10.

As Arnaldi hit his forehand over the basline on match level, Nagal set free a roar to have a good time his win.

Nagal had overwhelmed world quantity 63 Flavio Cobolli of Italy 6-2 6-3 within the first spherical of qualifying occasion and adopted that up with victory over Argentina’s world quantity 55 Facundo Diaz Acosta.