India’s Sumit Nagal Makes History, Stuns World No. 27 Alexander Bublik In Australian Open 2024

After defeating ATP world no. 27 Alexander Bublik, India’s Sumit Nagal advanced to the Australian Open 2024 second round. In the first two sets, Nadal easily defeated his opponent, winning 6-4 and 6-2. The two players were neck and neck in the opening six games of the third set, which turned out to be a fierce match. After breaking Bublik, Nagal increased the lead to 4-3 and then 5-3. But the third set had more drama in store.

Nagal had the chance to serve for a spot in the second round when Bublik won the next game without losing a point to make it 4-5. The Indian lost his composure under pressure, allowing the star from Kazakhstan to tie the score at five.

Nadal won the match 7-5 after both players held their games to force a tiebreaker. In the history of the Australian Open, it was the first time an Indian has defeated a seeded player since 1989. Nagal won 6-4, 6-2, and 7-6 in straight sets against his opponent.

For Indian tennis fans, Nagal’s second-round qualifying is an iconic achievement. The highest point an Indian tennis player has achieved in the Australian Open in the men’s singles division is the third round.

Over his career at the Australian Open, the great Ramesh Krishnan has made it to the third round five times. In the 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, and 1989 editions, he accomplished just that. Not to mention, in 1989, he had memorably defeated world No. 1 Mats Wilander in the second round.

Another Indian who has advanced beyond the first round of the Australian Open is Vijay Amritraj. Leander Paes also advanced to the second round of the Australian Open on many times, including in 1997 and 2000, while he did so in 1984.

In recent Indian tennis history, the now-retired Somdev Devvarman did make it to the Australian Open’s second round in 2013.