US Open 2024: Why was Sumit Nagal and Yoshihito Nishioka's first-round men's doubles match cancelled?
Sumit Nagal’s campaign at the US Open 2024 came to an end as he was subsequently forced to withdraw from the men’s doubles event due to injury after bowing out of the men’s singles in the first round. Nagal had been set to partner with Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka, but their plans fell apart due to a series of unfortunate events.
Following his loss in singles, Nagal encountered an injury that prevented him from competing in the doubles draw. Moreover, Nishioka's health issues have further aggravated the damage. He struggled with cramps during his singles match and was forced to retire from his opening encounter against Serbia's Miomir Kecmanović.
The Japanese player collapsed on the court during the fifth set, visibly in pain and unable to continue. The oppressive heat in Queens, New York, which climbed into the mid-80s, played a significant role in his cramping issues. The pair was scheduled to face the American team of Robert Cash and James Tracy.
The extreme conditions made it difficult for Nishioka to maintain his performance, ultimately leading to his retirement and contributing to the duo’s withdrawal from the doubles competition. Thus, Sumit Nagal's journey in the final Grand Slam of the year has come to a close.
Sumit Nagal falls in the first round of men’s singles
In the men’s singles, Nagal faced Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands in a challenging first-round match. He struggled to find his rhythm from the start. His first serve was inconsistent, and he won only 61 percent of those points, while Griekspoor capitalized on his serve, winning 87 percent.
Griekspoor took an early lead with a break of serve, going up 2-0 in the first set. Despite Nagal’s efforts to break back and make it 2-1, he couldn’t hold his serve, losing the set 1-6.
Sumit Nagal started the second set with a stronger performance, keeping the scores level at 2-2. However, Griekspoor’s decisive breaks in the fifth and ninth games allowed him to seize control of the match. The third set saw Nagal mount a comeback, breaking Griekspoor in the 11th game.
Yet, Griekspoor responded by pushing the set to a tiebreak, where he ultimately triumphed. Throughout the match, Nagal struggled with unforced errors and failed to convert his breakpoint opportunities, with Griekspoor converting six out of eleven.