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IMAGE: Sumit Nagal reacts during his first round match against Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac at the Australian Open on Sunday. Photographs: Jaimi Joy/Reuters
A profligate Sumit Nagal’s Australian Open campaign ended in a straight-set defeat against World No 25 Tomas Machac in the men’s singles in Melbourne on Sunday.
The top Indian singles player failed to capitalise on his chances, losing 3-6, 1-6, 5-7 to his opponent form Czech Republic, who dominated with his superior consistency and precision.
Nagal, ranked 91st, started the match confidently, dropping just two points in his first three service games.
However, a double fault and a string of forced and unforced errors saw him l,ose his serve in the seventh and ninth games, handing Machac the opening set.
In the second set, Nagal had an early chance to break Machac in the opening game, but the Czech player held firm, saving the breakpoint.
IMAGE: Sumit Nagal congratulates Tomas Machac after the match. Photograph: Jaimi Joy/Reuters
From there, Machac seized control, wrapping up the set in just 36 minutes as Nagal struggled to keep up.
Trailing by two sets, Nagal mounted a spirited fightback in the third set, securing an early break and racing to a 3-0 lead, which he extended to 5-3.
However, a flurry of errors, including another double fault, allowed Machac to stage a comeback with a crucial break.
The Czech player capitalised on the momentum, closing out the match and ending Nagal’s campaign.
Last year, Nagal made headlines by reaching the Australian Open main draw through the qualifiers and stunning higher-ranked Alexander Bublik in the first round before bowing out in the second.
This time, his early exit against Machac marks the end of India’s campaign in the singles event.
However, Indian representation continues in the doubles category.
Last year’s men’s doubles champion Rohan Bopanna, who clinched the title with Australia’s Matthew Ebden, will pair up with Colombia’s Nicolas Barrientos this year.
The other Indian players in the doubles draw include Yuki Bhambri, N Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Bollipalli, who will compete with their respective partners.
