Stockholm Open 2024: Sumit Nagal suffers opening-round defeat against Quentin Halys
Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal faced a tough challenge in the opening round of the ATP Stockholm Open 2024. He exited the tournament after a straight-sets defeat to Frenchman Quentin Halys.
The match, held on Court 1 of the Kungliga Tennishallen, saw Halys dominate from start to finish, securing a 6-0, 6-4 victory. With the win, World No. 95 Halys advanced to the second round, where he is set to face third seed Grigor Dimitrov.
Quentin Halys, playing with precision and control, completely outplayed Sumit Nagal in the first set. The Indian struggled to find his rhythm, and Halys took full advantage, winning the set 6-0. The numbers further highlighted Halys' dominance, as he served 14 aces compared to Nagal’s single ace. Halys' first serve was highly effective, winning 84 percent of his points on first serves, while Nagal could only manage a 53 percent success rate on his first serve.
The second set saw a slightly improved performance from Nagal, but Halys remained in control. Nagal managed to break the Frenchman’s momentum briefly, winning four games, but Halys never let the lead slip away. The Indian had three break-point opportunities in the match but could not convert any of them, while Halys capitalized on four out of seven break-point chances. The final set ended 6-4 in favor of Halys, closing out the match in just over an hour.
Nagal's first serve percentage was higher at 70 percent, but he struggled to win points off his first and second serves, managing only 53 and 43 percent win rates, respectively. On the other hand, Halys dominated both his first and second serve points, winning 84 and 71 percent, respectively.
Halys also excelled in receiving points, winning 28 compared to Nagal’s 11. In total, Halys won 64 points during the match, while Nagal could only secure 37. The Frenchman’s consistent pressure on Nagal's service games, combined with his ability to hold serve with ease, allowed him to cruise through the contest.
Sumit Nagal's woes continue
Sumit Nagal, who has been working hard to improve his performance on the ATP circuit, found himself unable to match Halys’ powerful play. The Frenchman, who is known for his strong serve, showcased his skills on the court, leaving little room for Nagal to stage a comeback.
The defeat adds to Nagal's struggles in recent months as he continues to search for consistency at the highest level.
For Sumit Nagal, this opening-round defeat marks another setback in his quest to climb the ATP rankings. Despite the disappointing loss, Nagal will look to regroup and focus on his upcoming tournaments.