Chennai Open 2024: Sumit Nagal assured of entry into top 100 after winning Challenger title at home

India’s Sumit Nagal scripted another remarkable feat on Sunday, becoming only the 10th Indian and the first in 5 years to break into the top 100 of ATP men’s singles rankings.

Nagal achieved the landmark after winning the Chennai Open title, an ATP Challenger event in the South Indian city.

Sumit Nagal, seeded 2nd, defeated top seed Luca Nardi of Italy 6-1, 6-4 in an hour and 41 minutes at the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Chennai. Having braved shoulder pain to reach the final of a Challenger event for the 8th time, Nagal won his 5th Challenger title, and his second one at home. Nagal will move to No. 98 in the men’s singles charts on Monday.

Sumit Nagal, backed by the buoyant home crowd in Chennai, was at the peak of his prowess as he dismantled top seed Luca Nardi in straight sets. Sumit Nagal won 48 percentage points on first serve and 71 percentage points on second serve, dominating the final match.

Sumit Nagal was ranked 121 in the men’s singles rankings before the start of the Chennai Open. He had gone closer to the top 100 after making an inspired run to the second round of the Australian Open. Having been denied a wildcard for missing Davis Cup action, Nagal had to go through to the main draw of the season’s first Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne through the qualifiers. And he did so in style.

Sumit Nagal clinched an opening-round win at the Australian Open, beating World No. 27 Alexander Bublik 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (5) before losing to China’s Juncheng Shang in 4 sets in the second round.

It’s been a fine run for Sumit Nagal in the New Year as the Chennai Open title triumph gives him the much-needed boost in the Olympic year. Sumit will make his debut in the top 100 when the ATP Rankings are updated on Monday. He is only the first Indian since Prajnesh Gunneswaranin 2019 to reach the men’s singles top 100.

Indian tennis has had multiple high points aleady in 2024 as Rohan Bopanna became the oldest man to be ranked No. 1 in men’s doubles after he won his maiden men’s doubles Grand Slam at the Australian Open along with his Australian partner Mathew Ebden.