Nagal channels Nadal in first-set 'stunner' against Roger Federer
Sumit Nagal momentarily shocked the tennis world on Monday, taking the first set off Roger Federer in their US Open clash.
The 22-year-old from India, ranked 190 in the world, was playing in his first grand slam event and just the third ATP level match of his career.
He made the US Open through qualifying and was expected to be cannon fodder for Federer.
But playing like Rafael Nadal, Nagal stunned the 20-time grand slam champion to claim the first set 6-4.
Incredibly, it was the first set he’d ever won at ATP level.
Fans and commentators couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
Absolute shocker here at the #USOpen. Nagal (no typo here) has taken the first set from #Federer. We’re in for a doozy tonight. #Nagal
— Sharif Mansur (@sharifmansur23) August 27, 2019
#USOpen shocker alert!
190th-ranked, 22-year-old Sumit Nagal won the first set against Roger Federer in their first round game!
19 unforced errors from Roger Federer. 😲
Can Roger come back from that? pic.twitter.com/LAQdEJrdf5— Online Sport Betting (@CanadaOSBetting) August 27, 2019
A stunner on Ashe! 😱
World No. 190 Sumit Nagal puts together a spirited performance to take the first set 6-4 off Roger Federer.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/hja7KhyXvE— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2019
Update: Nagal wins his first main draw set against Federer pic.twitter.com/IzXZEy4puR
— Dustin Levy (@DustinBLevy) August 27, 2019
This ain't Nadal. It's Nagal. Sumit Nagal. He's a @usopen qualifier and he just won the first set against Roger Federer. Whoa! This just got interesting.
— Kevin Maher (@KMaherNews12) August 27, 2019
Collective sigh overheard at the #usopen media room as @rogerfederer goes down a set against Nagal— yes, that’s with a “g.” #tennis pic.twitter.com/xGiHVAiBVI
— Arlyn Gajilan (@arlyntg) August 27, 2019
Sets won against Roger Federer at the #USOpen, an alphabetical index excerpt.
…
NADAL, Rafael - 0
NAGAL, Sumit - 1
…— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 27, 2019
☆Sumit Nagal(インド)
フェデ公 ロングで セット献上(^o^)v pic.twitter.com/Vzbubthr3m— Dolphin13 (@Falconer0717) August 27, 2019
No typo: Sumit Nagal (@nagalsumit), a 190th-ranked qualifier, takes the first set from Roger Federer in the first round of the #USOpen, 6-4. FOLLOW: https://t.co/Wd83pemvJ2 pic.twitter.com/Fl7GgWKaKI
— TENNIS (@Tennis) August 27, 2019
What is this horror show Federer?
— Vidula S. Menge (@Arey_Yaar) August 27, 2019
What on earth!! ROGER!! 🗣️
This should have been an easy set!
Roger spraying shots all over the place and doesn't take the first set. 4-6. Looking like he doesn't want to be out there.
So let's do this in 4 sets please. 🙏— Lola Longfield (@TitanRFederer) August 27, 2019
Federer overcomes huge scare
Thankfully for Federer it was back to normal transmission from thereon out, taking the match 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3.
When the match began it was Federer who surprisingly looked intimidated under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights as he sprayed errors all around the court.
But the Swiss great woke from his slumber in time to turn the match resoundingly in his favour.
Nagal, who has never earned a tour-level victory and only qualified for the year's final Grand Slam last week, came out swinging and even put a rare look of incredulity on the faces of those inside third seed Federer's box.
The 22-year-old Indian used impressive court coverage and sent heavily-spinning shots over the net during his dream start but his legs started to look more wobbly as the match wore and Federer righted the ship.
Federer, playing in his first Grand Slam since he failed to convert two championship points on his own serve against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, was down 0-40 while serving for the match but stepped up to win six of the next seven points to hold for the win.
Up next for Federer, who is seeking a record-extending 21st career Grand Slam title, will be Bosnia's Damir Dzumhur, who beat Frenchman Elliot Benchetrit earlier on Monday.
with agencies