Ramkumar beats Sumit Nagal in Marbella Challenger

Ramkumar Ramanathan defeated compatriot Sumit Nagal 6-2, 6-3 in the pre-quarterfinals of the Marbella Challenger on Wednesday.

It was Ramkumar Ramanathan's fourth successive victory over Sumit Nagal in as many meetings in the professional circuit since 2014. (File Photo)

Davis Cupper Ramkumar Ramanathan outplayed compatriot Sumit Nagal 6-2, 6-3 in the pre-quarterfinals of the Marbella Challenger tennis tournament in Spain on Wednesday. It was like a prelude to the Davis Cup training session for the two, who will be shouldering the responsibility of taming China in China in the Davis Cup tie next week. The 22-year-old Ramkumar fired six aces and converted five of nine breakpoints to make the quarterfinals. It was Ramkumar's fourth successive victory over Sumit in as many meetings in the professional circuit since 2014.

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The 20-year-old Sumit, who had lost the final qualifying round, had capitalised on his chance as a lucky-loser by beating eighth seed Marcel Granollers of Spain 6-4, 6-1 in the first round. Sumit had done remarkably well to win the $100,000 Challenger in Bengaluru last year, beating the country’s No.1 Yuki Bhambri along the way.

The results: 43,000 Challenger, Marbella, Spain Singles (pre-quarterfinals): Ramkumar Ramanathan bt Sumit Nagal 6-2, 6-3; First round: Sumit Nagal bt Marcel Granollers (Esp) 6-4, 6-1.