In a thrilling comeback in Bengaluru, Dakshineshwar Suresh emerged as India’s hero, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory over world No. 6 Netherlands in the Davis Cup qualifiers. This hard-fought win propels India into the second round of qualifiers set for September, where eight teams will battle for spots in the Davis Cup Finals.
Suresh stole the show on Saturday by defeating Netherlands’ top player Jesper de Jong in singles, giving India a crucial lead. The very next day, in his debut doubles partnership with Yuki Bhambri, he clinched a nail-biting 7-6(0), 3-6, 7-6(1) win over David Pel and Sander Arends. The three-hour epic kept fans on the edge of their seats, restoring India’s advantage in the tie.
The momentum shifted briefly in reverse singles when Sumit Nagal fell to de Jong 5-7, 6-1, 6-4, despite battling a Grade 2 tear in his right thigh. Nagal’s gritty performance bought vital time for the team.
In the decisive rubber, world No. 457 Suresh dominated Guy Den Ouden in straight sets, sealing the triumph. Remarkably, Suresh became the first Indian since Leander Paes in 2004 to win three matches in a single Davis Cup tie. This marks India’s deepest run in the competition in 15 years, igniting fresh optimism for the nation’s tennis future.
Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant celebrated the feat on X, posting, ‘Big win for Indian tennis in Davis Cup Qualifier. Takes guts to beat Netherlands and qualify for the next round. Great job, boys.’
Suresh’s heroics not only highlight his rising star but also underscore the resilience of the Indian team, setting the stage for bigger challenges ahead.