The 26-year-old Nagal, who fought his way into the main draw through the qualifiers, displayed exceptional skill and determination to beat the 31st seed with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(7-5) in a grueling match that lasted two hours and 38 minutes.
This victory marks Nagal’s debut progression to the second round of the Australian Open, and it comes as a significant milestone in his burgeoning tennis career.
In the 2021 edition of the tournament, Nagal faced an early exit in the opening round against Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis. However, this year, he has showcased improved form and resilience.
Ranked 139th in the world, Nagal will now advance to the second round of a Grand Slam event for the second time in his career. His previous appearance in the second round occurred at the 2020 US Open, where he faced a formidable opponent in second seed and eventual champion Dominic Thiem.
Notably, Nagal’s triumph on Tuesday marks the first time in 35 years that an Indian player has defeated a seeded opponent in a Grand Slam event. The last instance was in 1989 when Ramesh Krishnan secured a victory over Mats Wilander, who was the world number one and defending champion at the Australian Open.
Nagal’s stellar performance in the first round not only elevates his standing in the tennis world but also brings pride and excitement to Indian tennis enthusiasts.
(With inputs from PTI)