Sumit Nagal thread

[sameerph]

Sumit just looked so tired today. Not easy playing 9 matches in 12 days where he has to grind out for almost every point.

Now, he has to travel again tomorrow, reach at the next location perhaps late tomorrow and play a match on Tuesday. Ideally he should skip next week but next week is a much bigger challenger with a lot more points. So, it will be tempting for him to play. But,frankly do not see him winning more than a round or two next week. Will be happy to be proven wrong.

[RohitG]

True that Sameer. They upgraded the challenger from last year, Garin had collected 110 there and now they offer 125 for the winner. Sumit was asked this question in the press conference after Buenos Aires on his prospects of making the top-100, to which Sumit had replied anything is possible in tennis and he cited Garin's example wherein he had won 3 challengers in a row. Sumit may not have managed that feat yet but he did manage to get F, W and SF in these 4 weeks. He also said he plans to play in Peru, Ecuador and Uruguay.
The bottom two tournaments in his tally are 3 pointers each and if Sumit manages to win 2 matches, he earns 25 points. Being the 9th seed, it will be well within his reach. That will still give him similar points as this week and $4.3k which is what he would have got as a finalist in Campinas.

[PKBasu]

He definitely looked as if his body isn't cooperating. Sumit seems to be making the same mistake that RamK made -- playing too much. He risks injury, and should at least take one week off now. In both the last two matches, he looked very close to getting cramps.

Actually, after winning the title last week, this was the week he should have taken off -- and then come back refreshed for the bigger Challenger in the Dominican Republic next week.

[jaydeep]

This big challenger is on the green clay, so interesting to see how Sumit adjusts and overcome his tiredness of playing week-in week-out.

At $162.4K+H Santo Domingo Challenger 2019, Dominican Republic (Green clay)

[R1] (6) Sumit Nagal (IND,135) bye

[RohitG]

Sumit is also playing doubles, partnering Pedja Kristn instead of F Coria (who is also playing both events at Santo Domingo) Also, the race for a ticket to AO is heating up. the #101 player now has 568 points. With 7 weeks of challenger play left, it's going to be close

[PKBasu]

Decent draw for Sumit. In R2, he plays either Alejandro Tabilo (CHI, 224) or a Spanish wildcard. Then he possibly faces 4-Thiago Monteiro (BRA, 105) in the QF, and is drawn to play the top seed in the SF. The last time they played, Sumit beat Monteiro 60 61!

[arjun2761]

Green clay is quite popular in the US and is a little faster than red clay. Hopefully, it will make for shorter rallies...

[jaydeep]

So Sumit is facing a Chilean Alejandro Tabilo.

I would have preferred Sumit skipping the doubles, but he is playing with Pedja Krstin and they r facing the 3rd seed pair.

At $162.4K+H Santo Domingo Challenger 2019, Dominican Republic (Green clay)

[R2] (6) Sumit Nagal (IND,129) vs Alejandro Tabilo (CHI,224)

Doubles
[R1] Pedja Krstin (SRB)/ Sumit Nagal (IND) vs (3) Ariel Behar (URU)/ Gonzalo Escobar (ECU)

[jaydeep]

Sumit and his team have decided their off-season training camp in Chennai ... Som made a tweet regarding this.

[sameerph]

Sumit has taken the first set 76(5) against the Chilean. It has been a grind though. 1 hour 6 mins for first set. Sumit was down a break 2-4 but came back strongly. Had a set point on Chilean serve at 5-4, 40-30 could not convert. Then, again took him to deuce at 6-5 but Chilean held. Sumit was 1-3 down in tie break but won it 7-5. Wonderful passing shot at 5-4 was the key.

These South Americans are relentless on clay though and Sumit may have to fight all the way.

[RohitG]

This doesnt look good

[RohitG]

Medical timeout in the middle of the game. Not sure if I caught it properly, but the umpire asked "..physio or doctor? ... you aren't able to breathe?!.." Now they have made him lie down on bench..

Edit: He's back to serve to defend his first game of second set, break point.. 7 mins since the break in play.. gets broken. 0-2. Opponent consolidates, 0-3

[RohitG]

On the verge of getting bageled here. Double faults and unforced errors, either he is not able to cope physically or he is affected mentally.. or both

[sameerph]

Nothing mental here. He is bothered by some physical issues. He just tanked those last 2 games. Lets see if he can do something in third set.

[RohitG]

and he retires. He was pissed, broke his racquet before shaking hands.