Felix Gill Triumphs Over Sumit Nagal in Thrilling Maha Open Match

Exciting Match at Maha Open ATP Challenger

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], February 26: In a gripping showdown, Britain's Felix Gill emerged victorious against India's top player Sumit Nagal, winning 7-6(4), 0-6, 6-3 in a match that lasted 2 hours and 37 minutes, securing his spot in the quarter-finals of the Maha Open ATP Challenger 75 Men's Tennis Championship.

The tournament is being hosted by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in collaboration with the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Maharashtra, along with PCMC, PMC, and PMDTA. It is sponsored by the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA) and is taking place at the Shiv Chhatrapati Kreeda Sankul, Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Stadium.

Nagal initially took the lead in the first set, breaking Gill's serve twice. However, he struggled to maintain his advantage, leading to a tightly contested tie-breaker that Gill ultimately won. The second set saw Nagal bounce back impressively, delivering a dominant performance and winning 6-0.

With the match tied at one set each, Gill regained his composure in the final set, securing a crucial break to clinch the match, avenging his earlier defeat to Nagal in Chennai just two weeks prior.

In another match, eighth seed Edas Butvilas from Lithuania showcased a dominant display, defeating qualifier Tung-Lin Wu from Chinese Taipei 6-3, 6-0 in a swift 58 minutes, controlling the game from the start and not allowing his opponent to find any rhythm.

In a surprising turn of events, Japanese qualifier Masamichi Imamura upset second seed Jay Clarke from Great Britain, winning 6-2, 6-4 in 1 hour and 19 minutes. Imamura played aggressively, taking advantage of key break-point opportunities to secure a straight-sets victory.

Looking ahead to the quarterfinals on Friday, local wildcard Manas Dhamne will carry the hopes of Indian fans as he faces Croatia's Duje Ajdukovic at 3 pm.