European Challengers 2018

[sameerph]

Sumit is now 3-0 up in the second set.

And breaks Granollers again to go 4-0 up.

Sumit got broken to make it 4-1. Keep the focus, Sumit.

And Sumit breaks Granollers for the third time in the set and sixth time in the match to lead 5-1.

And holds at love to complete an excellent win over a former 20 player.

[R1] (LL) Sumit Nagal (IND,218) d. (8) Marcel Granollers (ESP,131) 64 61

After a close first set just dominated Marcel in the second set.

[Varma]

And holds at love to complete an excellent win over a former 20 player.

A clay loving Spaniard, that too . How sweet!

- Varma

[sameerph]

Yes, Indians beating an Italian and a Spaniard in one of the toughest clay challengers on the same day is so sweet.

And how the fortunes change in a day. Pedro Cachin who beat Sumit in final qualifying round yesterday drew a fellow qualifier Coppejans and lost to him while Sumit drew the 8th seed and thrashed him in straight sets.

[jaydeep]

Terrific results on clay from Sumit and RamK against Spaniard and Italian clay court specialist ... Interesting second round match between them.

[sportsfan]

What a day for RamK and Sumit. Sumi's scoreline is especially impressive against Granollers (whom I've watched play in person in the past) is a tough grinder.
RamK seems to have adjusted to clay quickly.

[Sin Hombre]

At this point, no one can argue that Ram's ranking is not completely deserved.

He is able to justify it on all surfaces now.

[arjun2761]

Wow, these are quality wins by RamK and Sumit on red clay against European clay courters!

[sameerph]

RamK vs. Sumit is first match at 1 pm local time on court 2, again on a non-streamed court.

RamK leads 3-0 in head to head but last 2 matches have been close 3 setters. So, I expect another 3 setter with RamK favoured to win.

[suresh]

Both Sumit and RamK list clay as their favourite playing surface on their profile on itftennis,com. RamK's time in Spain might have something to do with it. So no (major) surprises from their good showing here.

[PKBasu]

Wonderful to see our clay court specialists wallop an Italian and a Spaniard on clay. Sumit will remember this scalp for a long time, as Granollers is a 3-time pre-quarterfinalist at the French Open (the last of them less than 2 years ago) with a career high ranking of 19 in singles. A memorable scalp to pick up!

We are assured of a quarterfinalist in singles, but I would have preferred them both to make the QF!

[S_K_S]

Sumit celebrates victory

[Saniapower]

Sumit will be the favorite.

[Rajiv]

Ram with two service breaks,serving for the first set at 5-2

And pockets the first set 6-2

Both of them started their opening games tentatively and couldn't hold their serve, untill the ensuing games where Ram managed to hold his serve and in the process twice broke Sumit' s serve

[sameerph]

RamK gets the first break of the second set to lead 4-3.

And he breaks Sumit again in his next service game to complete a dominating win.

At $50K+H Marbella Challenger 2018, Spain

[R2] Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND,136) d. (LL) Sumit Nagal (IND,218) 62 63

[Rajiv]

All over in straight sets 3 & 3 win for Ram

Shame 2 Indians had to face off.