Indian tennis ace Sumit Nagal stunned world number 27 Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in straight sets to enter the Australian Open second round for the first time in his career. It was the first Grand Slam match in which an Indian player had defeated a seeded opponent since 1989.

In the opening two sets, Nagal easily defeated his opponent, winning 6-4 and 6-2. The two players were neck and neck in the first six games of the third set, which turned out to be a fierce match. After breaking Bublik, Nagal increased the lead to 4-3 and then 5-3.

Nagal won 6-4, 6-2, and 7-6 in straight sets against his opponent.

For Indian tennis fans, Nagal’s second-round qualification is an iconic achievement. The highest point an Indian tennis player has achieved at the Australian Open in the men’s singles division is the third round.

Over his career at the Australian Open, the great Ramesh Krishnan had made it to the third round five times. In the 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, and 1989 editions, he did just that. Not to mention, in 1989, he had famously defeated world No. 1 Mats Wilander in the second round.

Another Indian who has advanced past the opening round of the Australian Open is Vijay Amritraj. Leander Paes also advanced to the second round of the Australian Open on multiple occasions, including in 1997 and 2000, while he did so in 1984.

In recent Indian tennis history, the now-retired Somdev Devvarman did make it to the Australian Open’s second round in 2013.