Sumit Nagal is one step closer to entering the ATP Top 100 (currently 106) for the first time. The 26-year-old has carried his Australian Open form and stormed into the ATP Challenger Chennai Final with a straight-set victory over third seed Dalibor Svrcina in the semifinals.
The Indian tennis ace had entered the match as a favorite despite facing an opponent seeded just one below him. He dominated the Czech in all facets of the game, leading him to more serve points won (first and second), breaking him five times, and leading the total points won tally.
Sumit Nagal eventually beat Svrcina 6-3, 6-4, and stormed into the Challenger Chennai Final without dropping a set the whole week. The No. 1 ranked Indian will now either face Italian 20-year-old Luca Nardi or 22-year-old Taiwanese Jason Tseng to lift the ATP 100K title.
Sumit Nagal’s journey to his career-high ranking
Nagal’s ranking plummeted to 500 last year after a poor 2022. However, an incredible 2023 season saw him end the year ranked 138. With momentum on his side, the 26-year-old played lights-out tennis at the Australian Open 2024.
He won his three qualifying round matches in straight, then beat current world number 23 Alexander Bublik in the first round and advanced to the second round. Although he eventually faced defeat, his year had started on a high.
If Sumit Nagal manages to win the Final, he’ll enter the ATP Top 100 for the first time in his career.
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