Indian No.1 Sumit Nagal edges past wildcard Alan Wazny in three-setter; faces top seed Cristian Garin next
Poznań, Poland, June 16 On a damp Monday in Poznań, India’s top-ranked tennis player Sumit Nagal got his ATP Challenger campaign back on track, navigating a tricky opening round at the ATP 100 Poznań Open with a hard-fought 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 win over Polish teenager Alan Wazny.
The match, held at the Park Tenisowy Olimpia, marked a significant checkpoint in Nagal’s comeback season as he eyes a steady rise back into the ATP Top 200. Ranked World No. 300 entering the tournament, Nagal had to dig deep against the 18-year-old World No. 1705, who was playing with confidence and home-crowd support after recently capturing the Roland Garros boys’ doubles title.
A Tale of Two Halves
Nagal, known for his grinding baseline play and fitness, looked in complete control in the first set. Breaking early and racing ahead, the Indian capitalized on Wazny’s nervous start, wrapping up the set 6-2 with just 26 minutes on the clock. His return game was sharp, and he controlled the longer rallies, keeping the Polish wildcard pinned to the baseline.
But Wazny, who is rapidly rising in junior and now senior ranks, settled into a rhythm in the second set. Playing freely and striking his forehand with increasing authority, he broke Nagal midway through the set and held his nerve to take it 6-4, much to the delight of the home supporters. It was a lapse in intensity and first-serve percentage from Nagal that allowed the teenager a window and to his credit, Wazny took it.
Third Set Grit
With the match finely poised, Nagal showed his experience in the decider. He elevated his movement and focused on depth over aggression, forcing errors from the young Pole. A critical break in the seventh game gave the Indian the edge, and he closed out the set 6-4 to advance to the second round.
While the win may not have been as clinical as he would’ve hoped particularly against a lower-ranked opponent the victory still counts as a step forward on Nagal’s long road back to the higher rungs of the ATP ladder.
What’s Next: Cristian Garin Looms
Nagal’s reward is likely a second-round clash against top seed Cristian Garin — the Chilean star and former World No.17, who is currently ranked No.122. Garin, a proven clay-court specialist with five ATP titles, is returning from his own form struggles and would pose a stern test for the Indian. If Garin wins his opening round match against Alexey Vatutin, he will meet Nagal on Wednesday.
A clash with Garin will offer Nagal not just ranking points but a chance to test himself against a higher-ranked player in match conditions something that has been missing for much of his injury-ridden 2023 and early 2024 campaigns.
On the Comeback Trail
Sumit Nagal has made no secret of his goals — to re-enter the ATP Top 100 and secure regular Grand Slam main draw entries. After reaching a career-high of World No. 122 in August 2020, a string of injuries and financial setbacks hampered his progress. In recent months, the 26-year-old has slowly begun to build momentum through the ATP and Challenger circuits.
Earlier in 2025, he made appearances in several Challengers across Europe, grinding through qualifying rounds and looking for rhythm. His brief stint in the Roland Garros qualifying ended early, but the Poznań Challenger represents a solid opportunity for valuable match wins, confidence, and ranking points.
Nagal has often spoken about the mental toll of the sport especially when dealing with injuries without a full-time support staff. Yet his ability to stay in the fight, to claw his way back even when under pressure, was again evident on Monday.
Wazny: A Name for the Future
Despite the loss, Alan Wazny left a lasting impression. The 18-year-old, currently the World No. 16 in juniors, showed no signs of being intimidated by the occasion. Fresh off his boys’ doubles triumph in Paris alongside Oskari Paldanius, Wazny is fast becoming a name to watch on the junior-senior transition circuit.
He pushed Nagal hard and showed enough in this match to suggest that more wildcard entries and possibly Challenger wins are on the horizon. Wazny will also be competing in the doubles draw here in Poznań.
Every Win Matters
For Nagal, this win isn’t just another number on the results sheet. It’s another step on a challenging comeback trail. With every victory, the belief grows. With every tournament, the match-fitness improves.
Yes, a straight-sets win would’ve been ideal. Yes, the stats could’ve been more convincing. But in tennis especially in the Challenger grind a win is a win. And for a player fighting to reclaim his place among the world’s elite, each of these matters.
Up next could be Garin. A true test. But Nagal will take the court with momentum, belief, and the knowledge that he’s inching closer to where he once belonged.
Stay tuned for more updates on Sumit Nagal’s campaign at the Poznań Challenger and Indian tennis news on IndiaSportsHub.