Indian tennis in 2019: Rise of Sumit Nagal and the Davis Cup that cost Bhupathi captaincy

Sumit Nagal gave Indian tennis a blockbuster moment by taking a set off Roger Federer but it was the all-too-familiar player versus administrator tussle that dominated Indian tennis in a largely underwhelming year.

Nagal lived a dream when he took on one of the greatest players of all time at a packed Arthur Ashe stadium in a US Open first-rounder.

He lost, as expected, but not before getting on an erratic Federer's nerves by claiming a set.

The 22-year-old Haryana-lad succeeded in doing something which only the Amritrajs, the Krishnans, the Leanders, the Bhupathis and the Sanias have done -- giving the sport a much-needed fillip.

What was remarkable was the way Nagal handled the moment. He did not show he was nervous and refused to be intimidated by the presence of a player who is synonymous with the sport.

The demeanour earned him some compliments from his great opponent at the end of the match. Federer also appreciated Nagal's consistency.

With one title (Buenos Aires), one ...