Sumit Nagal had to settle for a runner-up finish at the ATP Tulln Challenger event on Sunday after losing the singles title match in straight sets to Czech Republic's Vit Kopriva.
Nagal lost 2-6 4-6 in his third Challenger level final to his opponent, who is rated five places lower than him at 194.
Nagal struggled with his serve and lost his calm in the first set, losing a game after leading 40-0. He whacked his racquet on the court in frustration after losing the game, breaking it in a flash.
The Czech won the match with a backhand winner and finished it off with a forehand winner.
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Nagal won the Challenger competitions in Rome (April) and Tampere (July) earlier this year.
The best Indian singles player gained 60 ranking points after defeating two seeded players, including top-seed Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas, en route to the final.
He will rise 33 places to 156 on the ATP rankings. His next match is a Davis Cup World Group II match against Morocco in Lucknow.
(With PTI inputs)
