Sumit Nagal's Monte Carlo Masters run shows he's getting better with every match

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With every match he plays at the highest level of the ATP Tour in 2024, Sumit Nagal is getting better and better at what he does.

His remarkable run as a qualifier at the Monte Carlo Masters came to an end against world no. 7 Holger Rune in the second round, but not before he reiterated the progress he has made since his breakthrough at the Australian Open in January.

Nagal, world no. 93, fought back from a set and a break down and weathered a long rain delay to force a decider against one of the top clay-court players in men's tennis right now. He eventually fell short in the third set, going down 3-6, 6-3, 2-6 after 2 hours and 10 minutes, spread through two days. But it is a match and tournament he will have a lot of positives to take back from.

Taking on a top-10 player is a learning experience in itself, usually a rare opportunity for Indian players. As a qualifier, he was the complete underdog in this match-up. Of course, he has famously taken a set of Roger Federer at the US Open but he has not been around on the highest rung of the ATP Tour to get many such chances.

Yes, he became the first Indian to win a match at a clay-court Masters -- the tier second to only Grand Slams -- and had beaten three straight higher ranked players to reach the second round. But playing the world no. 7, last year's finalist at Monte Carlo, in what is only his second Masters main draw could have been unnerving. But there was a quiet confidence to Nagal as he refused to be outplayed. He showed no nerves to begin the match and was firing his groundstrokes from the onset, not letting the occasion or pressure get to him. It was a visual representation of how far he has come this season.

Nagal may not have the 20-year-old's experience at the top level but he has plenty and more on his favoured clay courts and he showed his range on the slower surface.

For most part of the first set, Nagal matched Rune's strike for strike as both stayed level till 3-3. It was then that Rune raised his level, got a clutch break for 5-3 and then served out the first set. It was the first time that Nagal looked unsure, getting rushed under pressure and committing errors. It took him a few minutes to recover, as he splayed his subsequent shots and was broken in the first game of the second with a double fault.

Today didn't end as I'd hoped, but I am proud of the progress I've made this week, winning matches in one of the world's biggest tournaments ���� Thanks a lot for your messages of support over the last few days. I really appreciate it! �������� �� Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters pic.twitter.com/Eys0mqg7Ai - Sumit Nagal (@nagalsumit) April 11, 2024

That's when the rain interrupted and after the first shot break, Nagal was back in his groove. He held and then played out a wonderful, gritty game -- that actually went to deuce for time and lasted over a day -- to get the break back.

Rune lost some rhythm after rain break and Nagal took full advantage of that. The match was stopped with Nagal having his fourth break point and Rune started the day with a double fault to put the second set back on serve.

Under the bright Thursday sun is when Nagal showed immense grit to level the match. Unlike Rune, he didn't let the day's break unsettle him and came out firing to breaks again for a 5-3 lead and then serve the set out. To even take a set off a top-10 player who has reached the final of two clay-court Masters is no easy task. He showed good control on his shots, and he countered his opponent's strikes from baseline to force Rune into mistakes.

The key difference was that Rune leaked errors at the start of the day while Nagal played a measured game; the opposite of what their rankings and experiences would indicate.

The third set also began with Rune getting the break, as Nagal gave his all in a 7-minute game where he saved three break points and played a bullet down the line forehand to stay in it. But this time he broke Rune right back, once again keeping his game composed and carving out the winners when the chance came.

Rune dug into his next service game too, but he saved a break point and held with some wonderful, versatile shots -- a cracking forehand from the baseline, rushing into the net to play low. It was impressive under pressure, but resistance didn't last long as Rune upped his level. Frustration started creeping in Nagal's game over the errors and serving to stay in the match, his run came to an end rather softly.

If his visible annoyance after losing match point was anything to go by, he believed he could have done better and holding himself to a higher standard is a great sign.

Sumit Nagal in action during his first round Australian Open win over Alexander Bublik WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images

A recent entrant into the top-100 club, Nagal could have easily gone down against someone in the top-ten with an enviable coaching roster (Patrick Mouratoglou, Severth Luthi and Boris Becker in the past.) But he rose to the occasion and used the stage to showcase the tennis he is capable off. The forehand was firing, the sliding returns on clay court were comfortable and the determination to not let external factors, including some crowd chaos, affect his game was standout.

A particularly impressive feat was his serving. Later in the match, Nagal's serve, particularly the second, was put under pressure several times by Rune; identifying it as an area to exploit. But he held on, serving well under and pressure and defending it from the baseline. It shows that he is making the necessary adjustments to stay with the best during big matches.

Already, Nagal has reached new heights this year with more firsts to come -- a guaranteed career best ranking in the top-80 and a direct entry into the French Open. And this is just the start of the clay season, his favourite time of the year. With two more Masters and a Grand Slam on clay to come, there is sure to more firsts for Nagal and Indian tennis.