India’s top-ranked singles player Sumit Nagal saw his Delhi Open 2026 campaign come to an end after a hard-fought second-round battle with Italy’s Federico Cina.
In a match that showcased grit and drama, Cina won 6-4, 6-4 to knock out Nagal and book his spot in the Round of 16. Nagal — world No. 297 — fought back bravely after an early break but could not convert crucial opportunities in the later stages.
Cina, an 18-year-old rising Italian talent ranked No. 225, started aggressively, securing an early break to move ahead in the first set. He maintained composure throughout, closing out the match in straight sets after 1 hour and 40 minutes of tense play.
Despite the loss, Nagal showed resilience — saving multiple match points mid-second set — and kept the crowd enthralled with a spirited comeback attempt before ultimately succumbing.
Earlier at the Tournament: A Mixed Bag for Indian Players
The tournament’s earlier rounds delivered plenty of action and a few upsets:
Opening Round Highlights
Sumit Nagal d. David Jorda Sanchis (ESP) | 6-3, 7-5
Nagal opened his campaign with a strong win over Spain’s Jorda Sanchis on Day 3. He broke early, maintained his serve well, and held firm under pressure in the second set to seal victory in straight sets — marking his first ever main-draw win at the Delhi Open.
Top seed Dane Sweeny (AUS) eliminated
In a major tournament upset, Kazakhstan’s Beibit Zhukayev came from a set down to beat the No. 1 seed Dane Sweeny 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-2 — signalling a wild opening round with unpredictable results.
Other seeds progress
Japan’s Rei Sakamoto and Great Britain’s Jay Clarke both claimed straight-set victories to advance into the round of 16.
Doubles Action: Indian Top Seeds Advance
While Nagal’s singles challenge ended, Indian doubles hopes flourished:
Siddhant Banthia (IND) / Alexander Donski (BUL) — the tournament’s No. 1 seeds — advanced to the men’s doubles quarterfinals with a commanding 6-2, 6-3 win in the first round.
This result keeps the home crowd invested in the doubles draw, offering a chance for silverware later in the week.
Looking Ahead at the Delhi Open
With the singles draw now into the Round of 16 and doubles action heating up, tennis fans in New Delhi will be treated to more high-intensity matches over the coming days. The tournament continues through 22 February 2026, with both ranking points and meaningful prize money on the line. �
Indian Tennis Daily
Quick Score Snapshot
Men’s Singles – Round 2 Results (Selected)
Federico Cina (ITA) d. Sumit Nagal (IND) — 6-4, 6-4
Rei Sakamoto (JPN) d. Alastair Gray (GBR) — 1-6, 6-4, 6-4
Jay Clarke (GBR) d. Alexandr Binda (ITA) — 6-4, 6-4
Michael Geerts (BEL) d. Daniel Michalski (POL) — 7-6(8), 6-4
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