Davis Cup: Suresh shines as India-Netherlands tie heads to decider

India’s Davis Cup 2026 Qualifiers Round 1 tie against the Netherlands delivered a gripping climax at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium on Sunday, with the contest now locked at 2‑2 and headed to a decisive fifth and final singles rubber that will determine which nation advances further in the competition.

India’s campaign began with a challenging opening singles clash as Sumit Nagal , returning from a recent injury layoff, went down in a hard‑fought battle against the Netherlands’ Guy den Ouden . Nagal started strongly but struggled to find rhythm against the Dutchman, who raced through the opening set. Although Nagal fought back to claim the second set, he ultimately lost, giving the Dutch an early lead.

The hosts were kept alive by a stunning performance from Dhakshineswar Suresh , who upended Dutch No. 1 Jesper de Jong in straight sets 6‑4, 7‑5 . Suresh used his powerful serve and aggressive game to dominate crucial rallies and level the tie at 1‑1 , reigniting Indian hopes and drawing loud support from the home crowd. His composure under pressure reinforced his reputation as a rising star in India’s Davis Cup setup.

On Sunday’s second day, India seized the initiative in the doubles rubber. Yuki Bhambri and Dhakshineswar Suresh combined effectively to outlast the Dutch duo of David Pel and Sander Arends in a marathon three‑hour encounter, winning 7‑6 (0), 3‑6, 7‑6 (1) . The Indian pair held their nerve in the deciding tiebreak, with captain Rohit Rajpal’s strategic inclusion of Suresh proving decisive as India moved ahead 2‑1 in the tie.

However, the Netherlands struck back later in the evening. In another fiercely contested reverse singles match, Sumit Nagal fought valiantly but was ultimately outplayed by Jesper de Jong , who won 7‑5, 1‑6, 4‑6 after nearly three hours of intense tennis. That result brought the overall score to 2‑2 , nullifying India’s advantage from the doubles and setting up a winner‑takes‑all showdown in the fifth rubber .

With the tie poised on a knife‑edge, all eyes are on the deciding match, where India is expected to once again rely on Dhakshineswar Suresh’s rising form. If he can replicate his recent heroics, India will clinch the tie and progress further in the Davis Cup Qualifiers.

The tie in Bengaluru has delivered high drama, thrilling momentum swings, and standout individual performances, a testament to the growing stature of Indian tennis on the global stage. Fans across the country now wait in anticipation as this historic tie reaches its climax.