Sumit Nagal Shines as Top Seed Crashes Out in Delhi Open 2026

Sumit Nagal moved into the second round of the Delhi Open 2026 with a confident straight-set win. The bigger shock, though, was top seed Dane Sweeny getting knocked out in his very first match. It turned into a dramatic day at the DLTA Complex, and fans witnessed both hope and heartbreak in a few hours.

Nagal Finally Gets His Delhi Moment

Sumit Nagal came into the tournament ranked No. 297 in the world. Not the highest he has been, but rankings do not always tell the full story. Playing at home brings a different kind of energy.

He faced Spain’s David Jorda Sanchis and looked sharp from the start. An early break gave him control in the first set, which he sealed 6-3. The second set felt tighter. Both players held serve for long stretches. Then Nagal broke at the perfect time and closed the match 6-3, 7-5 in one hour and 27 minutes.

After the win, he admitted it felt special. His first win in Delhi. Long overdue, he said. The crowd backed him loudly, and you could sense he fed off that noise.

Massive Upset Stuns the Tournament

While Nagal celebrated, the biggest headline belonged elsewhere. Kazakhstan’s Beibit Zhukayev pulled off a stunning comeback against Dane Sweeny.

Sweeny had arrived in Delhi with strong form. He recently reached the second round of the Australian Open and even won a Challenger title in Brisbane. Many expected him to go deep here.

But Zhukayev had other plans. After losing a tight first set in a tiebreak, he raised his level. He dominated the next two sets 6-2, 6-2. The top seed was suddenly out. That is tennis. One day you are favourite, next day you are packing bags.

Other Seeds Move Ahead

Japan’s Rei Sakamoto advanced comfortably into the Round of 16. He beat Frederico Ferreira Silva in straight sets. Calm performance. No drama.

Third seed Jay Clarke from Great Britain also moved forward, though he had to work harder. He defeated Polish qualifier Maks Kasnikowski 7-6, 6-4. Clarke later admitted it was his first win of the season. You could feel relief in his words. Sometimes, one win changes the mood of an entire year.

The margins in Challenger events are tiny. Rankings may differ, but the level is close. A few points decide matches.

Mixed Fortunes for Indian Players

For India, it was not all good news. Young Manas Dhamne, Manish Sureshkumar, and Digvijay Singh exited in the opening round. They fought, but could not cross the line.

Still, Nagal’s victory keeps Indian hopes alive in singles. He now aims to become the first Indian singles champion here since Somdev Devvarman, who won back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015. That record still stands strong.

What’s at Stake in Delhi Open 2026

The Delhi Open is part of the ATP Challenger 75 series. That means 75 ranking points for the singles champion. Important points. They help players climb towards bigger ATP events.

The winner will also take home 17,000 dollars. The runner-up earns 9,600 dollars. Doubles champions split 4,980 dollars. For many players, these events are stepping stones. Every match matters.

The tournament runs at the DLTA Complex in New Delhi, with the final set for February 22. Thirty-two singles players began the journey. Only one will lift the trophy.

For now, all Indian eyes stay on Nagal. He has momentum, crowd support, and belief. In tennis, that combination can do strange, beautiful things.