Sun Jan 12 23:49:19 UTC 2025: ## Nagal’s Australian Open Run Ends in First Round Defeat
**Melbourne, Australia** – India’s Sumit Nagal saw his Australian Open 2025 campaign come to an early end on Sunday, losing in straight sets to Czechia’s Tomas Machac in the first round of the men’s singles. The 27-year-old, ranked 91st in the ATP singles rankings, fell to the world No. 25 player with a score of 6-3, 6-1, 7-5 in a match lasting two hours and five minutes.
Despite a strong start, Nagal was unable to maintain his momentum against Machac, who reached the fourth round at last year’s US Open. While Nagal secured an early break in the third set, taking a 3-0 lead, Machac rallied to ultimately secure the victory.
Nagal’s exit leaves India without representation in the men’s singles draw. However, hopes remain for India in the doubles competition, which begins Tuesday. Veteran Rohan Bopanna, a 2024 Grand Slam champion, will partner with Colombia’s Nicolas Barrientos. Other Indian doubles pairings include Yuki Bhambri/Albano Olivetti (France), N Sriram Balaji/Miguel Ángel Reyes-Varela (Mexico), and Rithvik Bollipalli/Ryan Seggerman (USA). No Indian women qualified for the Australian Open this year.
First Piper 