Sumit Nagal qualifies for ATP Buenos Aires Tennis

Chandigarh: Sumit Nagal of India broke Nicolas Kicker of Argentina by 2-6 6-2 6-3 in 2 hours and 12 minutes in the final qualifying round match in the $411,940 ATP Tennis tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the first round of the main draw, 150th ranked Sumit, 30, is pitted against 100th ranked Joao Sousa, 31, of Portugal.

Nicolas Kicker of Argentina won the first set 6-2. Despite losing the first set, Sumit reorganised his game. After sharing the first two games, deuce was called twice before Sumit Nagal. broke his rival to take a 2-1 lead.

In the fourth game of the second set, Sumit saved three break points on his serve before returning serve to lead 3-1. In the fifth game, Sumit trailed 0-40 before winning his first point and went on to make it 40-40. The Indian player won the point on the second serve of Nicolas Kicker. Sumit Nagal broke Nicolas Kicker's serve to establish a 4-1 lead.

In the sixth game Sumit, who hails from Haryana, was tailing 15-30 and broken. Nicolas narrowed the lead to 2-4. In the 8th game Sumit broke Nicolas and led 5-2. Sumit Nagal earned a point on his second serve to win the second set 6-2. (1-1).

In the first game of the third and deciding set, Nagal won the point on the first serve of Nicolas Kicker for the break and led 1-0. Despite committing two double faults Sumit just managed to win the service game to lead 2-1. With another break Sumit Nagal made it 3-0.

In the fourth game Nicolas Kicker won the point on the 1st serve of Sumit Nagal. Nicolas Kicker broke Sumit Nagal (1-3) Sumit Nagal claimed the point on Nicolas Kicker's first serve to break his opponent and led 4-1.

Nicolas Kicker led 40-15 in the sixth game and broke Sumit to make it 2-4. Keeping pressure Sumit Nagal broke the serve of Nicolas Kicker in the seventh game to lead 5-2.

Before the start of the eight game, Sumit Nagal got medical attention. Nicolas Kicker won the point on the second serve of Sumit Nagal as the score read 5-3 in favour of Sumit. In the ninth game, Sumit wrapped up the match by breaking his rival to win the game, set and match.(UNI)