Sumit Nagal Crashes Out of Chennai Open Challenger

Nagal's Gritty Battle Ends in Heartbreak

Sumit Nagal, India's number one tennis player and the eighth seed at the Chennai Open Challenger, put up a valiant fight but ultimately crashed out in the second round. The former champion faced off against Russian Petr Bar Biryukov, ranked 305 in the world, in a match that showcased both players' resilience amid challenging conditions. Nagal started strongly, securing the first set 6-4 after breaking his opponent's big left-handed serve. The crowd at the SDAT Tennis Stadium cheered as the home favorite took control early, displaying the baseline grinding that has become his trademark.

However, the second set proved to be a turning point. Nagal earned three break points on Biryukov's serve but couldn't convert any, leading to a tense tie-break. Biryukov, despite showing visible frustration—dropping his racquet and hanging his head after errors—clawed back to win the tie-break 7-6(2). The match stretched to two hours and six minutes, with both players committing unforced errors: Biryukov tallied 43 to Nagal's 25. Yet, the Indian couldn't capitalize on his opponent's lapses. In the decider, Biryukov raced to a 3-0 lead before Nagal leveled at 3-3, only for the Russian to break again in the eighth game and seal a 6-3 victory.

A Tough Start to the Season for Nagal

This loss marks another setback in what has been a rocky beginning for Nagal in 2026. Just last week, he dropped both his singles rubbers in India's Davis Cup tie against the Netherlands in Bengaluru, following a minor injury concern. Earlier in the tournament, Nagal had shown promise by advancing to the second round with a comeback win over Felix Gill. He dropped the opening set 1-6 but stormed back 6-1, 6-3 against the lower-ranked opponent, raising hopes for a deep run on home soil. As the top-ranked Indian, Nagal entered the event with expectations high, especially with valuable ranking points on offer at this ATP Challenger 50 tournament.

The defeat also signals the end of the Indian challenge in the men's singles draw. Qualifier Sidharth Rawat had already been eliminated earlier in the day by Maks Kasnikowski in straight sets. Nagal's exit leaves fans wondering about his form ahead of a crucial season where momentum is key. Despite his solid 2025 record—34 wins from 61 matches—recent results suggest he needs to shake off rust and injury niggles to climb back toward the top 100, where he peaked in 2024.

Biryukov Advances Amid Error-Filled Thriller

Petr Bar Biryukov's victory was far from smooth, reflecting the grueling nature of Challenger-level tennis. The Russian struggled with the humid Chennai conditions, his body language betraying discomfort throughout. Yet, he dug deep, saving crucial points and capitalizing when it mattered most. Next up for Biryukov is a quarter-final clash against fourth seed Ilia Simakin, who endured a marathon three-set win over Australia's Philip Sekulic. That match lasted nearly three hours, highlighting the stamina required on these courts.

In doubles, Indian interest remained alive with top seeds Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha and Pruchya Isaro advancing to the semi-finals after a hard-fought 4-6, 6-2, 10-8 victory. Poonacha said post-match, expressing optimism for the next round. Meanwhile, other Indian pairs like Siddhant Banthia and Saketh Myneni fell 7-5, 6-4 to Sasikumar Mukund and Jay Clarke.

I thought we handled the big points really well today. It was a good match, but we stayed aggressive and trusted our game. I’m happy with how we competed and finished the match,

Nagal's early exit underscores the fine margins in professional tennis, where a single tie-break or missed break point can alter a tournament path. As he reflects on this performance, the focus shifts to regrouping for upcoming events. Biryukov's progression keeps the singles draw competitive, promising more drama in Chennai. In summary, Sumit Nagal's second-round loss to Petr Bar Biryukov at the Chennai Open Challenger ends his campaign prematurely after a strong first-set win but falters in key moments, amid a challenging start to his season. Doubles action continues to offer Indian hope.