Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal is set for his fifth appearance at a Grand Slam after earning a direct entry into the main draw of next year’s Australian Open. Nagal, ranked 98th in the world rankings, is included in the entry list released by Tennis Australia on Friday.
In the last season of this competition, after making it to the main round from the qualifying stage, he defeated 31st seeded Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in the opening match in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (5). He then became the first Indian player in 34 years to defeat a seeded player in the main draw of a Grand Slam.
Nagal’s journey ended with a defeat to wild-card Shang Yuncheng of China in the next round. Nagal’s career took off when he became the 10th player from India to break into the top 100 of the ATP rankings.
Meanwhile, current world number one and defending champion Yannick Sinner has been given the top seed for the Australian Open, followed by Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz. Novak Djokovic has been seeded seventh. In women’s singles, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has been given the top seed. After that there are the names of Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff.
