Seoul, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s bid to become the first Asian nation to reach the Davis Cup Final 8 under the competition’s revamped format came to an end on Saturday as Korea secured a 3-1 victory in their Qualifier Round 2 tie in Seoul.
India had entered the tie with renewed confidence after defeating the Netherlands earlier this year, but consecutive defeats in the opening singles left the visitors facing an uphill task. A spirited doubles victory briefly kept India’s hopes alive before Korea closed out the tie in the fourth rubber.
Dhakshineswar Suresh and N Sriram Balaji defeated the Korean pair 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to give India a lifeline. After losing the second set, the Indian duo regained control in the decider and produced a crucial break that put them in position to serve for the match.
With India needing victories in both remaining singles, the pressure fell on Sumit Nagal in the decisive reverse singles. However, Korea’s Soonwoo Kwon delivered a dominant performance, giving Nagal little opportunity to mount a comeback.
Kwon raced through the opening set 6-1 and maintained his control in the second. Nagal tried to stay in contention, but the Korean continued to dictate the exchanges and closed out the set 6-2 to seal Korea’s passage to the Davis Cup knockout stage.
The result ended India’s campaign and extended their wait for a first appearance in the Final 8 of the new-look Davis Cup. Korea, meanwhile, secured a landmark result for Asian tennis by becoming the first team from the continent to qualify for the knockout stage since the tournament adopted its current format.
India’s doubles victory had briefly suggested a possible turnaround. Suresh and Balaji attacked from the outset, putting sustained pressure on the Korean serve to take the opening set. Korea responded strongly in the second, but the Indian pair remained composed in the decider.
The decisive breakthrough came late in the third set when India finally broke the Korean serve, allowing Balaji to serve for the match. The Indians held their nerve to complete the win and keep the tie alive.
India will now compete in Qualifier Round 1 in 2027. The Seoul tie could also prove to be the final assignment for Rohit Rajpal as India’s captain, with his current contract set to expire in December 2026 and no extension announced so far.
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