Sumit Nagal records India's first singles win since 1996

TOKYO: India's lone hope in men's tennis singles Sumit Nagal powered to a 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4 win over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan in the first round here at the Ariake Tennis Court on Saturday.

Nagal's win was the first for an Indian men's singles tennis player at the Olympics since Leander Paes' bronze medal-winning run at Atlanta 1996.

Nagal won the first set 6-4 in 42 minutes but lost the second set in tie-breaker in 71 minutes. He, however, came back to win the final set in 41 minutes with a 6-4 margin.

The 34-year-old Istomin, ranked 197th in the world was no match to his 23-year-old Indian opponent who is ranked 37 places above him.

Nagal was more agile and covered the court better.

Istomin fired 17 aces against eight by Nagal. The Indian also committed more double faults with nine against three.

Istomin committed 32 forced errors to Nagal's 17. The Indian also won 10 out of 10 net points while his opponent won just five out of nine.

However, it was in break-points and forced errors that Nagal was better than his Uzbek opponent. IANS

Also Read: Sumit Nagal Becomes 1st Indian Male Tennis Player to Qualify for 2nd Round in 25 Yrs

Also Watch: