Flushing Meadows:Playing the most important first Grand Slam match of his career that too against legendary third seed Roger Federer of Switzerland, qualifier Sumit Nagal of India put up a great fight before losing in four-setter in the US Open at the Arthur Ashe Stadium here on Monday night.Roger Federer won 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. He won the match with a service winner.
Though young Nagal lost, he did not disappoint those who turned out to witness the match. The Jhajjar born Haryana player did not hesitate to play his strokes and serving well. In fact his campaign in his first-ever main draw of Grand Slam, was heart-warming as he won the first set against experienced Federer.
His match against Federer will certainly give a big boost in tennis career. Nagal lost but did not disappoint. Moving with agility, Nagal gave a tough time to his fancied player.
Federer served first and led 40-15 before Nagal was able to make it 40-40. Federer won the service game to lead 1-0. In the second game, facing legendary Federer, Nagal was broken as Federer make it 2-0.
Committing his first double fault in the third game, Federer trailed 15-40, 15-40. Nagal got an opportunity to break back legendary Federer and the Indian player capitalised on it to win his first game with break to make it 1-2. Nagal then won his service game to levl the score score 2-2.
Nagal made two powerful serves which helped him retain his serive after leading 40-14 to level the score 4-4. In the ninth game, Sumit Nagal broke his rival after Federer trailing 0-40. It paved the way for Sumit to lead 5-4 for the first time in the game and his serve to follow.
Serving for the set, Nagal trailed 0-30 before making it 30-30 and went on to hold his serve and clinched the first set, a remarkable achievement.
In the first game of the second set Federer fired an ace to lead 40-30 on his service and later committed a double fault as score became 40-40. Deuce was called twice more before Federer managed to win his service game to take 1-0 lead.
The second game of the second set was full of thrills and fine tennis. Nagal was leading 40-15 on his service before a cross-court shot by Federer redued the margin (30-40). A backhand return by Nagal led to the first deuce of the game. Federer capitalised on the fourth break point to break his rival for a 2-0 lead and increased it to 3-0 by winning his service game.
Experienced Federer mounted pressure and broke Nagal in the fourth game to forge ahead 4-0. After leading 40-0 on his serve in the fifth game, Federer unleashed an ace to win his service game for a 5-0 lead.
Despite trailing 1-5 in the second set, Sumit Nagal did not surrender. He displayed his fighting qualities in the seventh game, with Fderer serving. Federer was leading 40-15 (two set points).
However, Nagal made to fight for every point. It was only on the seventh set point Federer capitalised to clinch the set at 6-1. Nagal was placed twice at the advantage which he muffed to break his rival.
Federer commenced the third set by breaking Sumit Nagal in the first game at love to take 1-0 lead. Earning another break in the fifth game, Federer took important lead by 4-1 with his service to follow. By winning his service game, Federer further enhanced his lead by winning at love to 5-1. Federer clinched the third set at 6-2 and lead 2-1.
Sitting pretty well in the match, Federer broke Nagal in the first game of the fourth set and held his service to gain a 2-0 lead. Nagal broke back Federer in the fourth game to level the socre 2-2. Federer yet again broke Sumit Nagal in the fifth game to establish a lead of 3-2.(UNI)