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US Open: Sumit Nagal wins a set against Roger Federer before bowing out
Nagal who came through qualifying rounds became the youngest Indian in 25 years to enter the main draw of the Grand Slam event.
India's Sumit Nagal surprised everyone by winning the opening set against Roger Federer before losing the match 4-6, 1-6, 2-6, 4-6 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The Indian youngster put up a spirited performance, but the 20-time champion upped his game and stamped his authority to win the match.
The Swiss seeded third in the tournament struggled in the first set and made 19 unforced errors to surprisingly lose the first set to a player who is playing in his maiden grand slam. World number 190 Sumit Nagal, who has never earned a tour-level victory and only qualified for the year's final Grand Slam last week, came out swinging and even put a rare look of incredulity on the faces of those inside third seed Federer's box.
The 22-year-old Indian used impressive court coverage and sent heavily-spinning shots over the net during his dream start but his legs started to look more wobbly as the match wore and Federer righted the ship.
Federer, playing in his first Grand Slam since he failed to convert two championship points on his own serve against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, was down 0-40 while serving for the match but stepped up to win six of the next seven points to hold for the win. Up next for Federer, who is seeking a record-extending 21st career Grand Slam title, will be Bosnia's Damir Dzumhur, who beat Frenchman Elliot Benchetrit earlier on Monday.
"It was a tough first set for me. However, credit to him for playing a solid first set. I was a bit rusty in the match," Federer said after the match.
Before the match, Nagal had said he would try to enjoy the game and not think too much about whom he was playing against.
"I want to play him. It doesn't matter. It's not about winning or losing all the time. It's just the experience. It's playing someone who has 20 Grand Slams," Nagal had told ATP Tour website.
"I don't care what the commentators will be saying about me on TV. I'm going to be enjoying the crowd, playing the best tennis player ever. I'm just some dude from India. I'm fine with that until I make my name. That's it," he added.
The Indian had also said that he doesn't try to emulate Federer as the latter is just "too good".
"He's just too good. You never want to copy him. If you watch Federer and what he's doing with the ball and then you try to do the same, you're just going to break your racquets. It's never going to happen. That's why he's not my idol. Just too good. That's how I see it."
(With inputs from IANS)
