Sumit Nagal bowed out 4‑6, 4‑6 to China’s Yibing Wu in the Asian Games quarter‑finals, ending India’s 40‑year tennis medal streak.
Nagal’s 29‑year‑old career had seen him beat Hong and Fomin earlier, but he couldn’t convert chances against Wu, who dominated the match in 1 hour 38 minutes.
The turning point came in the second set when Wu broke Nagal twice, sealing a 4‑6 tally after a tense 24‑minute battle that left the Indian on the brink.
Coach Ashutosh Singh said the team wanted stronger results, noting the competition was “extremely high”, and that India’s singles players must seize every opportunity.
India’s doubles hopefuls—Bhambri, Balaji, Suresh—also fell in the quarter‑finals, leaving the country medal‑free for the first time since 1986.
With the next Asian Games slated for Doha 2030, India will focus on nurturing a new generation of players to restore its tennis legacy.