CHENNAI OPEN | Indian challenge in singles comes to a shuddering halt

Indian players Sumit Nagal and Sidharth Rawat exit Chennai Open ATP Challenger, while Indo-Thai duo advances in doubles.

The Indian challenge in the singles event at the Chennai Open ATP Challenger fizzled out with the exit of Sumit Nagal and Sidharth Rawat in the second round at the SDAT Tennis Stadium here on Thursday.

The India No. 1 took the first set against Russian Petr Bar Biryukov and appeared on course for a routine win when he began to flounder. He let slip three break-points in the second set which allowed his opponent to stay afloat.

Once into the tie-break, the left-hander, ranked No. 305, used his big serve to good effect to push the match into the decider. Also, he raced to a 3-0 lead.

Sumit Nagal in action at the Chennai Open ATP Challenger in Chennai on Thursday, February 12, 2026. | Photo Credit: R. RAGU

Though Nagal fought back to level at three-all, Biryukov earned the decisive break in the eighth game and held serve to seal a 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-3 win in just over two hours.

Earlier, Rawat went down 2-6, 3-6 to Maks Kasnikowski.