Indian tennis
ace Nagal became the first from the country to win a singles match at the US
Open in 7 years when he beat Bradley Klahn in opening round
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New York(Agencies): Sumit
Nagal does not expect to dominate Austrian Dominic Thiem like his near namesake
and idol Rafa Nadal when they meet in the US Open second round on Thursday, but
the 23-year-old Indian is relishing the challenge on the biggest stage.
Nagal on Tuesday became the
first Indian to win a singles match at the US Open in seven years when he beat
Bradley Klahn and immediately set his sights on Thiem who has reached two
French Open finals, losing both to Nadal.
Also read: Divij-Cacic make
early exit from US Open
"I've got nothing to
lose," said Nagal, who took a set off Roger Federer in his first round
defeat on his Grand Slam debut at Flushing Meadows last year.
"Last year I played Roger
Federer and this year Thiem. It's going to be a great match. For sure, I'm not
the favourite."
Second seed Thiem, who reached
his third Grand Slam final at this year's Australian Open, was far from
convincing in his opener against Jaume Munar and went through when the Spaniard
retired hurt after dropping the first two sets.
Andy Murray endured a more
gruelling first outing and showed that he is physically capable of going the
distance at a major after hip surgery by beating Yoshihito Nishioka in five
sets.
The Briton could face a tricky
test against 15th-seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round.
Serena Williams will continue
her bid for a record-equalling 24th major crown when she takes on Russia's
Margarita Gasparyan while Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin will meet
Canada's Leylah Fernandez.
American Sloane Stephens, the
2017 champion, will square off against Olga Govortsova of Belarus while Aryna
Sabalenka plays Victoria Azarenka.
Russian third seed Daniil
Medvedev, who lost to Nadal in last year's final, faces Australian Christopher
O'Connell as he chases his maiden Grand Slam title.
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