Sumit Nagal’s dream run at the Australian Open 2024 has come to an end. After winning two matches in straights, the 26-year-old Indian has been knocked out of the tournament by 18-year-old Shang Juncheng of China.
Sumit Nagal started the match well and claimed the opening set 6-2. However, Shang upped his level and claimed three straight sets to defeat Nagal in four tight sets.
Sumit Nagal vs Shang Juncheng: 2nd round play-by-play
14:03 pm: The 18-year-old has done it. Shang Juncheng wins in four tight sets over Sumit Nagal. 6-3, 3-6, 5-7, 4-6. He’ll now face Carlos Alcaraz in the third round of the Australian Open 2024.
14:00 pm: Nagal holds. Shang will serve for the match after 2 hours and 47 minutes.
13:57 pm: Shang now just one game away. The lefty backs up the break with ease and is ready to set up a match with Carlos Alcaraz.
13:53 pm: This could be the end of the road for Nagal. Shang gets the break and leads 4-3 in the fourth.
13:43 pm: Shang gets an important hold, it’s 2-2 in the fourth.
13:37 pm: Three quick games so far in the fourth set.
13:35 pm: Easy hold for Shang; it’s 1-1 in the fourth set.
13:33 pm: Nagal opens the fourth set with a solid game. He takes the lead, 1-0.
13:26 pm: It’ll be incredible difficult for Nagal to comeback after a 2-1 set down. But, given his form at the Australian Open this year, you can’t count the 25-year-old just yet.
13:23 pm: Shang takes the third set 7-5 and takes a two sets to one lead after 2 hours and 10 minutes.
13:13 pm: Nagal is giving it all. The Indian is toiling hard to take a two sets to one lead.
13:10 pm: Nagal wins a whirlwind point at 5-4, three points away from taking the third set.
13:01 pm: The set seems to be going towards a tiebreaker with quick game wins from both. Nagal is currently 4-3 ahead in the third set.
12:48 pm: Nagal holds, takes a 2-1 lead in the third set.
12:41 pm: Important hold for Nagal, he takes a 1-0 lead in the third set.
12:35 pm: Shang takes the second set, 6-3 in 42 minutes, and levels things up.
12:31 pm: Nagal takes the game, Shang to serve for the second set.
12:28 pm: Shang one game away from taking the second set and leveling things up, he leads 5-2.
12:22 pm: Nagal stops the flow and decreases the gap in the second set, 4-2, after 1 hour and 10 minutes.
12:19 pm: Shang in complete control now. He backs his break and leads 4-1 in the second.
12:15 pm: Shang finally breaks and takes the upperhand in the second set. It’s 3-1 in the second set after 1 hour and 2 minutes.
12:14 pm: Shang has been the better player this set but has failed to grab the chances. Nagal saves another break point.
12:11 pm: Nagal saves another break point. He’s been clutch under pressure so far.
12:06 pm: Shang holds serve; it’s 2-1 in the second set after 53 minutes. The lefty is looking much better in this set.
12:03 pm: From down 15-40, Nagal takes the game and levels the second set 1-1.
12:01 pm: Nagal fires an ace to save his first break point.
11:53 am: Exceptional tennis from Nagal; he takes the first set 6-2 in 40 minutes.
11:49 am: Shang double faults, another break point opportunity for Nagal, and he converts it. Nagal to serve for the set.
11:46 am: Shang has made 12 unforced errors in the first seven games already. But he saves yet another break point with a spectacular winner.
11:43 am: Chance for a second break point, but Shang saves it with a slice serve on the ad court.
11:42 am: Shang is unable to match Nagal’s consistency, spraying errors all over the place when the Indian is able to extend the rally.
11:38 am: It’s all too easy for Nagal at the moment. He leads Shang 4-2 after 25 minutes.
11:34 am: Shang wins the game from 0-30 down; Nagal leads 3-2.
11:29 am: Nagal is forcing Shang to play long points. The right-hander is using the Chinese’s poor shot tolerance to his advantage.
11:25 am: Shang on the board. Nagal leads 2-1.
11:24 am: Stunning forehand from Nagal! The Indian is looking to break Shang once more and take a 3-0 lead.
11:21 am: The Indian backs up the break. 2-0 up on the Chinese in no time.
11:18 am: Nagal breaks in the very game of the match. The Indian looks solid, forcing Shang to play more balls than he wants.
Sumit Nagal journey to this stage has been one of grit and determination. He battled through qualifiers, showcasing his trademark aggressive style that culminated in a stunning victory over world No. 31 Alexander Bublik. This historic win solidified him as the first Indian since 1989 to achieve such a feat at a Grand Slam, etching his name in the nation’s tennis folklore.
But across the net stands Shang Juncheng, a promising 18-year-old who’s making waves in 2024. Boasting a semifinal finish at the Hongkong Open and a respectable win-loss record on hard courts, he’s no pushover. While a recent loss to Andrey Rublev may raise eyebrows, his victories over established names like Frances Tiafoe and Botic van de Zandschulp in Hongkong prove his potential to surprise.
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