Tennis

Korea to face India on hard courts in Davis Cup Qualifier Round 2.

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 9, 2026, 03:04 IST

In the Davis Cup Qualifiers, India faces Korea, with both teams competing intensely for a place in the Final 8.

Korea to face India on hard courts in Davis Cup Qualifier Round 2.

South Korea is set to host India for a highly anticipated Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 2 match at the Olympic Tennis Centre in Seoul on September 18-19. This matchup promises to be an exciting contest between two teams that are closely ranked, with India currently positioned at 19th and South Korea at 16th in the Davis Cup standings. Historically, the Koreans hold a slight edge in their head-to-head encounters, leading 6-5.

The Indian team is expected to announce its squad on August 10, just weeks ahead of the crucial tie. The last time these two nations faced off was in 2016, when India triumphed 4-1 in Chandigarh during an Asia/Oceania Group I tie played on grass courts. At that time, India strategically chose grass to counter the Korean players, who typically excel on hard surfaces.

Recent Performances and Path to the Qualifiers

India secured their spot in the second round of the qualifiers with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in Bengaluru earlier this year. Dhakshineswar Suresh emerged as a standout player, winning both of his singles matches and teaming up with Yuki Bhambri to clinch the doubles rubber. Suresh's decisive win against Guy den Ouden, with a score of 6-4, 7-6(4), marked a significant achievement for India, as it was their first advancement to the second round since the current Davis Cup format was established in 2019.

On the other hand, South Korea also made headlines with a remarkable upset, defeating the 2016 champions, Argentina, 3-2 in Busan. The Korean team was notably bolstered by Kwon Soonwoo, who, despite being in the midst of his military service, played a pivotal role in their victory over the favored South Americans.

A High-Stakes Encounter

The upcoming match between India and South Korea is poised to be a winner-takes-all affair, with the victor earning a coveted spot in the Davis Cup Final 8 scheduled for November. Both teams are eager to capitalize on their recent successes, making this encounter a critical juncture in their Davis Cup campaigns. South Korea has previously reached the 16-team Davis Cup Finals in both 2022 and 2023, adding to the stakes of this upcoming clash.