Sumit Nagal, ranked 91st in the ATP singles rankings, fell to world No. 25 Machac 6-3, 6-1, 7-5 in two hours and five minutes. The 27-year-old was the only Indian competing in the singles draw. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nagal started well, dropping just two points in his first three service games. However, Machac broke him in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead and closed out the first set with a commanding finish. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the second set, Nagal had an early chance to break but Machac saved the breakpoint in the opening game. Nagal\u2019s performance dipped as the set progressed, losing his next two service games at 40-0 and 40-15. Although he challenged Machac\u2019s serves in the fifth and seventh games, he couldn\u2019t capitalise. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nagal made a strong start in the third set, breaking Machac in the second game and surging to a 3-0 lead. However, Machac rallied to break Nagal in the seventh and ninth games, sealing the match in straight sets. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Last year, Nagal reached the main draw through qualifying rounds and stunned Kazakhstan\u2019s World No. 27 Alexander Bublik in the first round, becoming the first Indian man to beat a seeded player in a Grand Slam since Ramesh Krishnan in 1989. He exited in the second round, losing to China\u2019s Juncheng Shang. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
In doubles, Indian interest continues with matches starting on Tuesday. Rohan Bopanna, the 2024 Grand Slam champion alongside Australia\u2019s Matthew Ebden, will partner Colombia\u2019s Nicolas Barrientos this year. Other Indian players include Yuki Bhambri with France\u2019s Albano Olivetti, N Sriram Balaji with Mexico\u2019s Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela, and Rithvik Bollipalli with the USA\u2019s Ryan Seggerman. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Last year, Nagal reached the main draw through qualifying rounds and stunned Kazakhstan\u2019s World No. 27 Alexander Bublik in the first round, becoming the first Indian man to beat a seeded player in a Grand Slam since Ramesh Krishnan in 1989. He exited in the second round, losing to China\u2019s Juncheng Shang. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
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