Swiss Indoors 2024: Sumit Nagal beats Facundo Diaz Acosta in first round of Qualifiers

Sumit Nagal, on Saturday, October 19, went through to the second round of the Qualifiers at the Swiss Indoors 2024. The Indian star defeated Facundo Diaz Acosta in a thrilling three-setter in the opening round of the qualifiers at IWB Court 1. It took Nagal three hours and 41 minutes to beat his Argentine opponent 5-7, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5).

Nagal will be up against Australia’s James Duckworth in the second round. Duckworth has also been in brilliant form after beating Switzerland’s Mika Brunold 6-3, 7-6 (7-6) on Saturday.

Nagal has a challenging task as he has never faced his upcoming Australian opponent on the tour thus far in his career.

Sumit Nagal rallies back to topple Acosta in Swiss Indoors 2024

Nagal had to put in the hard yards to get the better of Acosta. The Indian earned a break of serve in the first set but then dropped his serve twice. Acosta made 28 unforced errors, four more than Nagal, but made up for them with 16 smashing winners.

With his back against the wall, Nagal made a stupendous turnaround. Although he did not concede a break, Nagal saved all four breakpoint chances he faced to take the second set in the tiebreaker. At 3-3 in the tie-breaker, it was even-steven at one point before Nagal won four points in a row.

He also took the match into the deciding third set by winning the second set. Nagal looked nervous in the deciding set, dropping his serve twice, but then he earned both breaks back to force another tie-breaker.

At 5-5 in the tie-breaker, the match could have gone either way with Nagal and Acosta straining every sinew. After some jaw-dropping action, Nagal showed nerves of steel to close out the set and match.