Sumit Nagal is set to make his second successive appearance in the main draw of the Australian Open after exiting in the second round last year. Former Indian tennis star Somdev Devvarman expressed optimism about Nagal’s chances in the tournament as he gears up to face world-ranked No. 26 Tomas Machac from the Czech Republic on Monday at Melbourne Park.
The 27-year-old Indian tennis player had a remarkable breakthrough season in 2024, which started with his performance at the Australian Open. Despite being denied a wildcard nomination by the All India Tennis Association (AITA), Nagal fought through the qualifiers and made history by defeating 31st seed Alexander Bublik in straight sets. This victory marked the first time since 1989 that an Indian tennis player defeated a seeded opponent in the singles main draw of a Grand Slam, with Ramesh Krishnan achieving the feat last. Unfortunately, Nagal’s journey ended in the second round.
Now ranked 96 in the ATP standings, Nagal secured direct entry into the main draw of the Australian Open this year. However, he faces a tough challenge against Tomas Machac, a rising star who stunned Novak Djokovic in Geneva last season.
During a media interaction organized by Sony Sports Network, Somdev Devvarman reflected on Nagal’s recent performance, highlighting his straight-sets victory over Adrian Mannarino during the Auckland Open qualifiers last week. Somdev acknowledged Machac as a strong contender due to his consistent high-level performance and significant wins over top-ranked players.
“Machac is undoubtedly a tough opponent. While Sumit had a standout year in 2024, so did Machac. Achieving his current ranking and being seeded at a major tournament is no small feat,” Somdev commented. He added, “Sumit has been playing impressive tennis as well. His win against Mannarino this year shows his potential. The first round of a major is always unpredictable. A strong start can make a big difference. Despite Machac being the favorite, Sumit has the game and mindset to pull off an upset. If he plays to his full potential, he definitely stands a chance to create another memorable moment.”
