European Challengers 2020

[knarayen]

Mukund is quite clearly playing at a top 200-250 level. His ranking was there once earlier, but now it is looking quite legit. He is going to reach top-150 without too much delay, in my opinion.

Glad to see Mukund improving - I watched the early part of the Lacko match - his ground game is good, solid serve, great inside out forehand, I think he can improve that to become his killer go-to stroke to close out points. Backhand is also solid - let’s keep positive thoughts going for him. Net game can improve but his fundamentals are good there also.

[sameerph]

Okay, we already had this thread for European challengers for the year. So, we can discuss it here instead of opening a new thread. It looks except for Cincy and US open, rest of the tennis will be played only in Europe for the rest of the year.

This is the draw for our players in first week in Prague.

At € 137K Prague Challenger, Czech Republic (Clay)

[R1] (6) Sumit Nagal (IND,127) bye

Next,

[R2] (6) Sumit Nagal (IND,127) vs. Jay Clarke (GBR,167)

Sumit has played Jay twice, both the times in Bangalore Challengers in 2017 and 2018 and won both the times. But, it is a new beginning this time and Jay may have a bit of an edge as he at least played a competitive 3 set match today and won while Sumit will be playing first pro match after 6 months.

This is the doubles draw for our players -

[R1] (1) Divij Sharan (IND) / Robin Haase (NED) vs. (WC) Jonas Forejtek (CZE) / Michael Vrbenski (CZE)
[R1] Sumit Nagal (IND) / Ilya Ivashka (BLR) vs. (3) Artem Sitak (NZL) / Igor Zelanay (SVK)
[R1] N. Sriram Balaji (IND) / Kimmer Coppejans (BEL) vs. (2) Andres Molteni (ARG) / Hugo Nys (FRA)

[Omkara]

Feels good to see this thread. Sumit had played other tournaments. In fact he won a tournament some two three weeks ago. So he is prepared too.

[jayakris]

Phew. Finally, tennis! ... Go Sumit, Divij, Balaji...

[Rajiv]

Sumit wins by virtue of retirement by the Briton in the 3rd set , A seesaw match , which Sumit should have finished in straight sets when serving for the match at 5-3 in the second , but got broken twice to loose the set, Looks bit rusty and tentative on occasions as in both the opening 2 sets was down a break in the opening games, but hopefully more match play should give him additional confidence.

And whoa .. he has dyed his Hair in golden color , looks quite odd to see blonde hair on a brown face.

[sameerph]

At € 137K Prague Challenger, Czech Republic (Clay)

[R2] (6) Sumit Nagal (IND,127) d. Jay Clarke (GBR,167) 63 57 41 retd.

And he faces a local wild card next.

[R3] (6) Sumit Nagal (IND,127) vs. (WC) Jiri Lehecka (CZE)

[jayakris]

Yeah, go Sumit!

[suresh]

Jiri Lehecka is an 18 year old ranked 538. He took out the 9th seed in R2.

[PKBasu]

What a nice way to re-start the tennis season. Terrific win for Sumit over a quality player he has dominated.

[PKBasu]

Sumit's next opponent is an 18 year old who made the QF of the US Open junior singles last year. He had a career-high junior ranking of 10. He beat 9-Blaz Rola (SLO, 141) in R2, and Nicola Kuhn (ESP, 232) in R1, so seems to be reveling in his home country Challenger. Sumit will put an end to Lehecka's run tomorrow, I think.

[arjun2761]

Great result for Sumit! Best win since his title run in South America in September 2019 where he beat the #108.

Hopefully, he can win against the Czech teenager who seems to be in really good form in his home country.

[jayakris]

Sumit will put an end to Lehecka's run tomorrow, I think.

Good to see that no pandemic has been able to remove optimism from PKB. At best it could only dampen it a bit. After all, he didn't say that Sumeet will reach the final or take the title

[Atithee]

Sumit will put an end to Lehecka's run tomorrow, I think.

Good to see that no pandemic has been able to remove optimism from PKB. At best it could only dampen it a bit. After all, he didn't say that Sumeet will reach the final or take the title

You beat me to it, Jay. Good to see PKB’s indomitable spirit make its presence again.

[PKBasu]

Thanks so much for your warm words, Jay and Atithee. It's so nice to be back home at sports-india.com with the resumption of tennis action...

[Rajiv]

This R3 encounter is very important for Sumit , not only it will set up a probable clash against Wawrinka , but in the process he will reach to around 120/121 which will be a CH high for him , so lot is at stake in this match.