BANGALORE, November 26, 2017
Sumit Nagal clinched his maiden ATP Challenger title, winning the $100,000 Bengaluru Open. The 20-year-old from India battled past British teenager Jay Clarke 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 in Sunday’s singles final.
Nagal, who knocked out top seed Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia and compatriot Yuki Bhambri en route to the final, capitalized on five of his seven break point opportunities to secure victory in one hour and 56 minutes.
It’s a first #ATPChallenger title for @nagalsumit! The 🇮🇳 defeats Jay Clarke 63 36 62 for the @bengaluruopen 🏆. pic.twitter.com/lkQIH18ZGh
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) 25. November 2017
“It was an up and down match,” Nagal said. “I was smart at times and not much as others. Clarke is a very consistent player; very good defender. Overall I am happy. I would rate this higher than the junior Wimbledon doubles title.”
The current World No. 321 earns $14,400 in prize money as well as 100 ATP ranking points and is likely to gain more than 80 places on the ATP ranking list on Monday.
India hosted only two ATP Challenger events this year and both were won by home players. Yuki Bhambri had won the $50,000 KPIT – MSLTA Challenger in Pune last week.
