India’s top-ranked men’s player Sumit Nagal bowed out of the US Open event after a straight-sets loss to world No 40 Tallon Griekspoor, of the Netherlands.
Griekspoor started off the match on a strong note, winning the first two sets 6-1 and 6-3 before Nagal was able to put up a tougher challenge in the third set. The Indian got the first break of the third set in the 11th game to lead 6-5 and served for the set.
However, the Dutchman broke back right away to take the set into a tiebreaker. Nagal led 6-4 and earned himself two set points. However, a forehand error from the Indian and a service winner from Griekspoor levelled the tiebreak at 6-6. The Dutchman then went the next two points to close out the win 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (10-8) in two hours and 10 minutes on Court 15 at Flushing Meadows.
Griekspoor will go on to play 21st seed Sebastian Baez in the second round.
Nagal’s doubles partner Nishioka forced to pull out of the tournament
Meanwhile, there was more bad news for Nagal as his doubles partner Yoshihito Nishioka was forced to pull out of the tournament after retiring during the fifth set of his first-round singles match.
Nishioka was in the fifth set of his first round match against Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic when he fell to the ground due to full body spasms and had to receive medical attention on the court.
Nishioka/ Nagal will be replaced in the men’s doubles draw by an alternate team.
This was Nagal’s third appearance in the US Open main draw (now 1-3 record here) and marked the first time that the 27-year-old Indian has competed in the main draw of all the four Grand Slams in the same season.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Haresh Ramchandani
