US Open 2020: India’s Sumit Nagal creates history; thanks Virat Kohli

India's No. 1 men's tennis player Sumit Nagal created history at the US Open 2020 and later thanked Virat Kohli

New York: Sumit Nagal became the first Indian man in seven years to reach the second round of the main draw at the US Open tennis tournament.

India’s highest ranked tennis player Nagal defeated Bradley Klahn of the US 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the men’s singles first round contest. The last Indian to reach the second round of the main draw at the US Open was Somdev Devvarman in 2013.

This was the second year in running at the US Open that the 23-year-old Nagal had made it to the main draw. Last year, he lost to Swiss great Roger Federer in the first round but not before winning a set.

The win on Tuesday (September 1) was also Nagal’s first-ever win in the main draw in a Grand Slam. Nagal is ranked 124 in the world.

After the win at Flushing Meadows, Nagal took to his Twitter account to state that it was a “special moment”. He thanked his team including India cricket team captain Virat Kohli.

“My first Slam win. It was definitely a special moment and a match I will not forget. Thank you everyone for the wishes Next match on Thursday, gonna be a fun one Special thanks to my team - @vkfofficial @imVkohli @SOLINCOsports @IndianOilcl @lottosport (sic),” Nagal wrote.

In the second round, Nagal will face world number three Dominic Thiem of Austria. “I have got nothing to lose. Last year I played Roger Federer and this year Thiem. It’s going to be a great match. For sure, I am not the favourite,” he said.