The Davis Cup has a special place in Indian sporting history a stage where rankings blur and the flag on the sleeve becomes the greatest motivator.
On Friday at the Swiss Tennis Arena in Biel, India carved out another memorable chapter. Backed by inspired performances from debutant Dhakshineswar Suresh and team spearhead Sumit Nagal, India surged to a commanding 2-0 lead over Switzerland in their World Group I tie.
What was billed as a tough away fixture against a higher-ranked Swiss team has now tilted firmly in India’s favor. One more victory from the remaining three rubbers will seal India’s passage to the Davis Cup Qualifiers the main draw leading to the Finals.
Suresh Stuns Kym: The Spark That Lit the Fire
India’s campaign began with the unlikeliest of heroes. Dhakshineswar Suresh, ranked No. 626, was a late inclusion in the singles lineup, trusted by captain Rohit Rajpal to take the court against Jérôme Kym, ranked No. 155, Switzerland’s rising star fresh off a run to the third round of the U.S. Open.
The gulf in rankings was stark, but Davis Cup has always been about heart as much as numbers. Suresh rose to the occasion with maturity well beyond his years, edging Kym 7-6(5), 6-3 in straight sets.
The first set was a nail-biter. Kym used his booming serve to keep the pressure on, while Suresh countered with deep returns and unflinching defense. In the tiebreak, it was the Indian who showed greater composure, forcing errors from the Swiss to snatch the set.
With momentum on his side, Suresh grew in confidence in the second set, breaking Kym at a crucial juncture to take a 5-3 lead. From there, he held his nerve, sealing the match in just under two hours.
It was not just an upset it was a statement. For India, 1-0 up against the odds, the tie had suddenly shifted complexion.
If Suresh provided the spark, Sumit Nagal ensured the fire kept burning. Taking on Marc-Andrea Hüsler, Switzerland’s top singles player ranked 222 in the world, Nagal played with aggression and discipline to win 6-3, 7-6(4).
The first set showcased Nagal at his best. Returning with intensity, he broke Hüsler early and maintained his advantage with consistent baseline hitting. His footwork was sharp, and his forehand a weapon that has served him well throughout his career was finding the corners.
The second set was tighter, with Hüsler raising his level and serving with greater accuracy. Both players held serve until the tiebreak, where Nagal once again showed his hunger. At 4-4, he stepped up with two clutch returns and a powerful forehand winner to grab the mini-break. Moments later, the match was his.
It was a result that underlined why Nagal, once a top-100 player, remains India’s singles torchbearer. More importantly, it put India in the driver’s seat, needing just one more win from the doubles or reverse singles to clinch the tie.
A Throwback to India’s Davis Cup Spirit
The two wins on Day 1 echoed India’s rich Davis Cup legacy. Veteran fans were quick to recall the days when Leander Paes would topple higher-ranked opponents Henri Leconte, Wayne Ferreira, and Goran Ivanišević among them to script unlikely victories for India.
On Friday, it was Suresh and Nagal who carried that torch. For Suresh, in particular, the debut win mirrored Paes’ breakthrough moments a young underdog overcoming the odds on sheer belief and grit.
As one fan wrote on social media, “D Suresh single-handedly changed the equation of this tie. I’m still in shock it reminds me of the days when Leander would take down giants.”
The Road Ahead
With India leading 2-0, the tie now heads into Day 2 with the doubles rubber. Traditionally a strong area for India, the doubles could well prove decisive. Veteran Rohan Bopanna, despite winding down his career, still offers invaluable experience, and if paired effectively, India could close out the tie without needing the reverse singles.
Switzerland, on the other hand, will be desperate to mount a comeback. Hüsler and Kym remain dangerous players, and the home crowd will be backing them to fight until the last ball. But the pressure has shifted firmly onto their shoulders.
For India, this is a golden chance to seal their spot in the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers, keeping alive the dream of returning to the elite World Group stage.
The significance of India’s Day 1 domination cannot be overstated. In recent years, Indian tennis has struggled to make a mark in singles on the global stage, with doubles often keeping the tricolor flying. This tie, however, has shown that India’s singles bench is deeper than many assumed.
- Dhakshineswar Suresh’s upset over a top-200 player shows the potential of the next generation.
- Sumit Nagal’s resilience reaffirms his status as India’s No. 1 singles hope.
- The team’s spirit and ability to rise in away conditions reflect a collective growth.
It also serves as inspiration for young players across India, proving that with the right mindset, even a player ranked outside the top 600 can shine on the world’s biggest stages.
At the end of Day 1 in Biel, India stands one win away from completing an upset few thought possible. From Suresh’s fearless debut to Nagal’s assured finish, it was a day that revived memories of India’s finest Davis Cup moments.
With the score at India 2-0 Switzerland, the equation is simple: one more point, and India will march into the main Davis Cup round. But beyond the scoreboard, Friday was about heart, belief, and the enduring magic of the Davis Cup.
Whatever happens next, September 12, 2025, will be remembered as the day Indian tennis rediscovered its spark.
