With the first round of qualifying starting on January 8, the stage for the Australian Open 2024 is set. For India, all hopes are set on their highest-ranked player, Sumit Nagal. The 26-year-old is ready to start 2024 with a bang, with hopes of making the Australian Open 2024 main draw.
However, Nagal’s journey to the AO main draw will be anything but easy. The player ranked 138 enjoyed great success in 2023 after a disappointing 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Sumit Nagal ended 2023 with 46 wins, 13 of which came on hard court. Although Nagal is primarily seen as a clay courter, his best performance at a slam has come at the US Open, where he’s had his solitary Grand Slam victory.
Also Read:
On the Edge: Uncertainty looms over India’s visit to Pakistan in Davis Cup clash
Setback for Sumit Nagal, AITA refuses to send wildcard nomination for Australian Open
India’s best sporting moments from 2023 ft. Rohan Bopanna
Sumit Nagal, Ankita Raina in Australian Open 2024 qualifying entry list
Sumit Nagal: Road to Australia Open 2024 main draw
Qualifying Round 1: Geoffrey Blancaneaux
Qualifying Round 2: Edward Winter (wildcard) or Franco Agamenone
Qualifying Round 3: Alessandro Giannessi or John Millman (protected ranking)
Nagal has a 2-0 record over Geoffrey Blancaneaux of France. The two have met each other on the ATP Challengers and ATP 250, with Nagal winning both matches in straight sets. This is their first meeting on hard courts.
However, things get tough from here. If Sumit Nagal wins round one of qualifying, he’ll either face Australian wildcard Edward Winter or Franco Agamenone, both of whom he’s never played.
If they pass that test, he’ll face Alessandro Giannessi, against whom he has a 0-2 record, or John Millman, a former world number 33 with a win over Roger Federer and a quarterfinal at the US Open.
The post Sumit Nagal to face France’s Geoffrey Blancaneaux in Australian Open 2024 Qualifiers appeared first on Inside Sport India.