India’s ambitions of reaching the
The pressure now shifts entirely to the doubles pairing of N Sriram Balaji and Niki Poonacha, who must secure a victory to keep India’s hopes alive. Historically, India has only overcome a 0-2 deficit twice—against Brazil in 2010 and China in 2018—and they will need to replicate that feat to avoid elimination from the tournament.
Nagal and Suresh Fall in Hard-Fought Singles
Dhakshineswar Suresh’s maiden Davis Cup appearance began with promise, but he was ultimately unable to sustain his momentum against Korea’s top-ranked player, Soonwoo Kwon. Despite securing the opening set with an ace, the Indian struggled as Kwon adjusted his tactics, focusing his serves wide and targeting the backhand. Kwon’s ability to dictate play with deep returns and his superior handling of the low bounce proved decisive, allowing him to claim the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
The second singles rubber saw India’s number one, Sumit Nagal, take on the experienced Hyon Chung. Nagal dominated the early stages, racing to a 4-0 lead in the first set by exploiting Chung’s unforced errors. However, the Korean veteran gradually found his rhythm, utilizing effective drop shots and net play to disrupt Nagal’s flow. After a grueling three-hour contest, Chung’s composure under pressure saw him edge out the Indian 2-6, 6-4, 7-5.
A Mountain to Climb on Final Day
The defeat leaves India in a precarious position, requiring a clean sweep of the remaining three matches to advance to the knockout stage. While Nagal showed flashes of his trademark aggression, particularly with his inside-out forehands, his inability to maintain consistency during critical junctures of the match proved costly. Chung’s tactical intelligence, particularly in the final set, allowed him to capitalize on Nagal’s waning energy and frustration.
For Dhakshineswar, the loss serves as a steep learning curve in his fledgling international career. Despite remaining composed during long rallies, he found himself without answers once Kwon successfully shifted the tactical battle to the backhand side. As the team looks toward the doubles rubber, the focus remains on whether the Indian squad can channel the resilience required to pull off a rare comeback in the face of a dominant Korean performance on home soil.
