How India booked their place in second round of Davis Cup 2026 Qualifiers?

India stunned 2024 Davis Cup finalists to script history in Bengaluru.

India advanced to the second round of the Davis Cup 2026 Qualifiers on the back of inspired performances, overcoming higher-seeded opponents in successive ties. Their resurgence has caught the attention of the tennis fraternity, as Team India now looks to script another historic chapter.

India, who were Davis up finalists in 1966, 1974, and 1987, saw off 2024 runners-up Netherlands in the first round of qualifiers having already stunned Switzerland in the World Group 1 round. That added to India’s victory over Togo in the playoffs, made it the first time India won three consecutive Davis Cup ties since 2013-14.

This is also the first time that India have advanced to the qualifiers second round since the playing format was revamped in 2019.

Unexpected stars emerged to help the country pursue glory, and in this article, we will take a look at India’s journey so far at the 2026 Davis Cup.

India defeat Switzerland to book spot in Davis Cup Qualifiers

India sealed their place in the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers with a commanding 3-1 victory over Switzerland in the 2025 World Group 1 tie in Biel, ending a 32-year wait to beat a European nation.

Led by Sumit Nagal, India took a decisive 2-0 lead on Day 1 through singles wins over Marc-Andrea Huesler and debutant Dhakshineswar Suresh’s upset of higher-ranked Jerome Kym.

After Switzerland pulled one back in the doubles, Nagal closed the door emphatically in the reverse singles, defeating Henry Bernet 6-1, 6-3 to clinch the tie. The result marked India’s first Davis Cup win on European soil since 1993.

Also Read: Takeaways from India’s win against Netherlands in Davis Cup 2026 Qualifiers Round 1

India stuns Netherland to book spot in Qualifiers Round 2

DK Suresh was the reason behind India’s sensational comeback in the Davis Cup 2026 Qualifiers against the Netherlands. Following Sumit Nagal’s opening singles defeat, Suresh responded with composure and fearlessness, stunning world No. 88 Jesper de Jong 6-4, 7-5.

Ranked outside the top 400, the 25-year-old relied on a big serve and decisive forehands to level the tie and swing momentum back India’s way.

The turning point came in the doubles, where captain Rohit Rajpal’s gamble to pair Yuki Bhambri with Suresh paid rich dividends. The Indian duo outlasted seasoned Dutch specialists Sander Arends and David Pel in a gripping three-hour contest, winning 7-6(0), 3-6, 7-6(1).

The victory marked India’s first doubles win over European opposition in a Davis Cup playoff in several years and put the hosts 2-1 ahead.

After Nagal failed to close out the reverse singles, pressure once again fell on Suresh in the decisive fifth rubber. He delivered under pressure, overcoming Guy den Ouden 6-4, 7-6(4) to seal a dramatic 3-2 win for India.

What next for Indian tennis team in Davis Cup?

India’s dramatic win over the Netherlands has propelled them into the second round of the Davis Cup 2026 Qualifiers, where a chance to script history awaits.

A place in the final eight awaits team India, for which they will face South Korea in an away tie scheduled between September 18–20 at Gijang Stadium. The Republic of Korea arrive with confidence after overturning a deficit to shock Argentina, led by top performances from Hyeon Chung and Kwon Soon-woo.

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