Nagal to open his Australian Open campaign against Berankis

Melbourne, February 5

Sumit Nagal was expecting a clash against a top-10 player in his opener but the India tennis player on Friday drew Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis as his first round opponent at the Australian Open here.

It will be Nagal’s second clash against the world No. 72 in as many weeks after losing to the Lithuanian early this week in the build-up event.

Also read: Djokovic faces Chardy, Kenin meets Inglis at Australian Open

If Nagal, a wild card entrant and world No. 139, can cross the first hurdle, he will run into either 19th seed Russian Karen Khachanov or local wild card Aleksandar Vukic.

It will be Nagal’s third Grand Slam men’s singles appearance, having competed in US Open (2019, 2020) twice.

However, Ankita Raina, who was waiting to know if she gets ‘lucky loser’ spot in the women’s singles, could not make the cut.

In the men’s doubles, Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan will compete with their respective partners. PTI