Sumit Nagal was thrashed in straight sets by Daniil Medvedev as his Tokyo Olympics 2020 campaign ended on a sad note in the second round.
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Sumit Nagal’s journey in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 came to an end in the second round. The Indian player, who had defeated Denis Istomin in the first round, was no match for second seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Nagal lost 2-6, 1-6 in a brilliant display of Tennis by the Russian. Medvedev, the US Open finalist, was in his full elements as he completely outplayed Nagal.
The Indian, though, might go out of Tokyo Olympics 2020 with some pride. In his first round, he defeated Istomin of Uzbekistan and that was the first win in singles for India after 25 years. The last person to achieve this was Leander Paes in the 1996 Atlanta when he won the bronze by beating Fernando Meligini. Sumit Nagal had won the match 6-4,6-7,6-4 in what was an exhilarating match.
Medvedev completely dominated proceedings. Nagal did himself no favours when he lost his serve in the opening game. To make matters worse, Sumit Nagal double-faulted in the fourth game and Medvedev raced away to a 3-1 lead. Nagal did make things slightly complicated as he held the Russian to a deuce in the later game. But, the big-game experience of Medvedev ensured he had won the set 6-2 in just 30 minutes.
The second set followed the same pattern as the first set. Nagal lost his serve in the opening game and Medvedev pounced on the opportunity. The momentum was with the Russian and he never let go. Medvedev opened up the lead and he was serving for the match. Medvedev was taken to the distance as Nagal held him to a deuce but the Russian finished the match in grand style to advance to the next round.
With Nagal’s exit, India’s Tennis disappointment in the Olympics continued. The heartbreaking loss in the mixed doubles for Ankita Raina and Sania Mirza was a body blow. Mirza, playing in her fourth Olympics, was shown the exit door in a match that India was on the cusp of winning.
Novak Djokovic, on the other hand, looks to be the favorite to win the gold medal in Tokyo Olympics 2020. Djokovic had recently secured the bronze medal in 2008 Beijing and since then, he has not had much success. With the withdrawal of Andy Murray, Djokovic now has an open field. It will take a big mistake to ensure that he is denied the gold. Only one individual in the history of the sport has achieved the golden grand slam. Steffi Graf won all four Grand Slams in 1988 along with the Olympic gold in Seoul. Djokovic has already won the Australian, French and Wimbledon Grand Slams to take his Grand Slam tally to 20. This has put him level with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
An Olympic gold will make Djokovic the third men’s player after Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal to hold all the Grand Slams and the Olympic gold. However, Djokovic will become the first men’s player to win the Golden Grand Slam with only the US Open remaining. If he wins the US Open, he will have 21 Grand Slams which is the most for any player.
Nadal, Federer are not part of the Olympics while Djokovic will be gunning for No.21 and the gold in the coming week.
