Sumit Nagal Stuns World No. 38 Matteo Arnaldi For First Win At Masters Level

Sumit Nagal on Monday became the first Indian player to win a singles main draw match at an ATP Masters event on clay

Sumit Nagal on Monday became the first Indian player to win a singles main draw match at an ATP Masters event on clay when he shocked world number 38 Matteo Arnaldi in a gruelling three-set contest in Monte Carlo. Nagal, who entered the ATP Masters 1000 event via qualifying route, erased a one-set deficit to turn the tables on his Italian opponent for a memorable 5-7 6-2 6-4 win in the first round. He will next take on world number seven Holger Rune from Denmark.

This is Nagal's third victory over a top-50 player and second time in the current season. The 26-year-old had toppled the then world number 27 Alexander Bublik in straight sets at the Australian Open in Melbourne at the start of the 2024 season.

He had also defeated then world No. 22 Chilean Cristian Garin in Argentina Open in March 2021.

Nagal, who qualified into the main draw with wins over higher-ranked players, has ensured himself a career-high rank of 80 on a day when he touched career-high rank of 93.

Nagal had also qualified for the Indian Wells Masters in March this year but fell to formidable Canadian Milos Raonic in the first round. He had also competed in the Qualifiers of the Miami Masters but could not make the main draw.