Sumit Nagal qualifies for ATP Buenos Aires main draw
The World No.150 will face Joao Sousa of Portugal in the first round of the main draw later tonight
Rising Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal has qualified for the main draw of ATP Buenos Aires, after scripting a brilliant comeback to beat Nicolas Kicker of Argentina 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 in two hours and 12 minutes in the final qualifying round match.
The World No.150 will face Joao Sousa of Portugal in the first round of the main draw.
After the first set went in favour of the Argentine easily, Nagal came back stronger and took a 2-1 lead in the second set. He then saved three break points to take a 3-1 lead before breaking his opponent again to add to his dominance.
Though Kicker got a break back, Nagal closed out the set with ease. Nagal, a rare Indian player who likes competing on clay, carried the momentum into the third set.
He broke Kicker to take a 1-0 lead and then overcame two double faults to take a 2-0 advantage. The Jhajjar-born player continued to display his brilliance as he broke the Argentine once again to take a 3-0 lead. They did trade a break each but Nagal went on to win the set 6-3 and sealed his spot in the main draw.
Earlier in the qualifiers, he had defeated Spain's Carlos Gomez-Herrera and Mario Villela Martinez to set up the Kicker clash.
Things are finally looking up for the young Indian. He had lost two consecutive matches to start the year. He went out in the first round of the Australian Open and then lost in the opening round of qualifiers at the Cordoba Open.