The Paris Olympics 2024 had high hopes pinned on Sumit Nagal, the 26-year-old tennis star from India. However, the drama on Court 7 ended in heartbreak for Nagal as he crashed out of the men’s singles after a hard-fought three-set thriller against France’s Corentin Moutet. The final score read 2-6, 6-2, 5-7, a testament to the intense battle that lasted two hours and 28 minutes.
Nagal vs. Moutet: A Clash of Titans
Sumit Nagal’s journey in the Paris Olympics was cut short, but not without a fight. The match began on a rocky note for Nagal, with Moutet dominating the opening set 2-6. The Indian star seemed to struggle to find his rhythm, allowing Moutet to capitalize on his unforced errors and assert his dominance early on.
However, Nagal roared back in the second set, displaying the grit and determination that has come to define his career. He managed to break Moutet’s serve twice, taking the set 6-2 and leveling the match. It was a classic display of resilience, as Nagal turned the tables on his French opponent, earning crucial break points and showcasing his formidable baseline game.
The third set was where the real drama unfolded. Nagal earned an early break to take a 2-0 lead, giving Indian fans hope that he might just pull off a stunning comeback. But Moutet, refusing to back down in front of his home crowd, broke back to make it 2-2. What followed was a nail-biting exchange of powerful groundstrokes, precision serves, and tactical brilliance from both players.
At 5-5, Moutet earned the decisive break, putting himself in a position to serve for the match. Nagal saved one match point, but two more followed. In a heart-stopping rally, a backhand error from Nagal sealed his fate, and Moutet emerged victorious, taking his head-to-head record against Nagal to 3-2.
Statistical Showdown
The match statistics paint a vivid picture of the intense contest. Moutet fired 34 winners compared to Nagal’s 20, highlighting his aggressive approach. However, the Frenchman also made 49 unforced errors and committed five double faults, showing just how close Nagal came to turning the match in his favor. The four break points that Moutet converted turned out to be crucial in the end.
India’s Tennis Hopes Now Rest on Doubles Pair
With Nagal’s exit, India’s hopes for a tennis medal at the Paris Olympics now rest solely on the doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji. The experienced duo will need to summon all their skill and experience to bring home a medal for India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sumit Nagal lost in the men’s singles in a thrilling three-set match against France’s Corentin Moutet, with the final score being 2-6, 6-2, 5-7.
Key moments included Nagal’s comeback in the second set, taking it 6-2, and his early break in the third set to lead 2-0 before Moutet fought back to win.
India’s remaining hopes in tennis rest on the doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji.
Moutet hit 34 winners to Nagal’s 20, made 49 unforced errors, and committed five double faults. The four break points Moutet converted were crucial to his victory.
Conclusion
Sumit Nagal’s exit from the Paris Olympics 2024 is undoubtedly a setback for Indian tennis fans. However, his performance against Corentin Moutet showcased his fighting spirit and potential to compete at the highest level. With the doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji still in contention, India’s hopes for a tennis medal are far from over. Nagal’s journey may have ended, but the dream of Olympic glory for Indian tennis lives on.
