Sumit Nagal’s Auckland Open marketing campaign got here to an early finish regardless of taking the lead, as he fell to 20-year-old Alex Michelsen 6-7 (8-10), 6-4, 6-2 within the first spherical on Monday.
Nagal displayed resilience within the opening set, saving six set factors earlier than finally securing it. Nevertheless, Michelsen, ranked 41 on this planet, staged a powerful comeback to degree the match.
The third set belonged fully to the American, who unleashed a sequence of well-placed pictures, incomes even Nagal’s admiration on a number of events. Though the Indian managed to drag again a sport to make it 2-3 within the decider, Michelsen maintained his dominance and closed out the match, denying Nagal, ranked World No. 96, any probability of a comeback.
Nagal had proven promise on Sunday, breezing previous France’s Adrian Mannarino in straight units to safe his spot in the primary draw.
The Indian now turns his focus to the Australian Open, beginning on January 12, the place he’ll purpose to surpass his career-best Grand Slam efficiency — a second-round end within the earlier version.