One of the best things that we like about sports is that it’s unpredictable. One can never guess till the last moment whether it’s a hit or miss for them. The champions change with every match and we are here for all the excitement that it offers.
Well, this element of unpredictability took netizens by surprise on Monday when a 22-year-old Indian tennis player, Sumit Nagal took down 38-year-old Swiss tennis legend, Roger Federer in the first set of the 19th US Open.
Roger is World No. 3 in the ATP rankings.
Earlier, Indian skipper Virat Kohli had wished Nagal for qualifying the US Open.
And congratulations to @nagalsumit for qualifying for the #USOpen. A humongous task facing the great @rogerfederer, but we will be cheering for you. Best Wishes and Goodluck 🇮🇳👏
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 26, 2019
Sumit who is ranked no. 190 in the world grabbed the first set off maestro Roger Federer in the US Open 2019 with 6-4 and it was a sight to behold.
Here’s how twitter reacted to this amazing feat:
A stunner on Ashe! 😱
World No. 190 Sumit Nagal puts together a spirited performance to take the first set 6-4 off Roger Federer.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/hja7KhyXvE
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2019
Well, that escalated quickly! 😲
World No. 190 🇮🇳 @nagalsumit leads Roger Federer 6-4. | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/mlWPz5zmu6
— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 27, 2019
Suprabhatam ! Switch on your TV sets! India’s Sumit Nagal has just taken the first set at the US Open over Roger Federer!! Cmon Sumit!!
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) August 27, 2019
What Sumit Nagal has won here at #USOpen :
3 Qualifying matches
A set against Federer & breaking him twice
Overall $90,000 in prize money (64 lacs+)
35 ATP points
Lacs of supporters with his style of play & the spirit
Proud of you @nagalsumit | More power to you pic.twitter.com/yyk2NArqXW— India_AllSports (@India_AllSports) August 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/SwamiGeetika/status/1166178920430882816
The dream might be fading for Sumit Nagal but enjoying his spirit. Proud of you @nagalsumit
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 27, 2019
Sumit Nagal, ranked No. 190 in the world, takes the opening set off Roger Federer.
Sports are fun.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) August 27, 2019
A new star in the making? Cricket might actually take a back seat 😄
— Peacefully Political 🇮🇳 (@samgupt) August 27, 2019
Unbelievable: Sumit Nagal wins the first set 6-4 v Roger Federer #USOpen
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) August 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/LeeAbbamonte/status/1166167356256768003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1166167356256768003&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.india.com%2Fsports%2Fus-open-sumit-nagal-takes-first-set-off-roger-federer-6-4-twitter-is-shocked-see-posts-3757061
The match against Federer which was Nagal’s Grand Slam single’s debut puts him on an elite list of Indian single’s players in Grand Slams along with ace players like Vijay Amritraj, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupati, Somdev Devvarman among others.
But when Sumit thought that his dream was going to come true, Federer was able to defeat him in 2 hours 30 minutes.
#USOpen: @rogerfederer beats #SumitNagal in opening round of Men's Singles. pic.twitter.com/CJpFHv3Po6
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) August 27, 2019
The dream's c̶u̶t̶ ̶s̶h̶o̶r̶t̶ just begun! 😍
Sumit Nagal may have lost the match, but he's sure won Federer's respect along with winning hearts with a spirited performance!@nagalsumit #Fegal #USOpen #SlamOfSurprises pic.twitter.com/YkiFztkZvx
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 27, 2019
Although he lost the match, we are proud of Sumit as he was able to knock down the five-time US Open winner. Federer has never lost in the first or second rounds of the main draw of the event since he began playing it in 2000. Sumit who appears to be a powerhouse of talent became the 4th player to beat Federer in the first set at the US Open.
Way to go young man!