In the cool air of Switzerland, history was made. The Indian men’s tennis team, long burdened by its struggles away from home, scripted a famous Davis Cup victory, defeating Switzerland to advance into the 2025 Davis Cup Qualifiers.
For the first time since 1993, India managed to beat a European team on European soil and for the first time since the introduction of the best-of-three match format in 2019, they booked their place in the Qualifiers.
It was a breakthrough that came not just through talent, but through belief, bold captaincy, and fearless shot-making. At the heart of it all were Dhakshineshwar (DK) Suresh, making his Davis Cup debut, and Sumit Nagal, the seasoned campaigner returning to the fold.
India’s non-playing captain Rohit Rajpal made what many saw as a gamble: entrusting debutant DK Suresh with the opening singles rubber against Jerome Kym.
On paper, it looked like a mismatch. Kym, fresh from a breakout run to the third round of the US Open as a qualifier, had notched impressive wins over Wu Yibing, Ethan Quinn, and Brandon Nakashima, even stealing a set from world No. 4 Taylor Fritz.
Suresh, though, was undaunted. The match unfolded as a classic indoor battle of serves, both players dominating on delivery. But the turning point came in the fourth game of the second set. Serving at 0-40, Suresh displayed remarkable composure, saving three break points and leveling at 2-2. His resilience carried him into a tiebreak, where, trailing 0-2, he clawed his way back with aggressive returns.
At 4-6, facing set point, Suresh produced a stunning lob after chasing down a delicate drop shot a moment that shifted momentum firmly in his favor. He went on to take the set. The second set followed a similar script: high-pressure holds, nerveless serving, and a key breakthrough at 4-3 when Suresh pounced on Kym’s serve to break to love. Serving for the match, he sealed the tie with an ace on match point, completing a sensational debut victory.
Statistically, the numbers told the story: Suresh saved all seven break points he faced, while converting the only break point opportunity against Kym. It was a lesson in clutch play. This win was also Suresh’s fourth victory over a top-160 player in just two months, highlighting his rapid rise.
Nagal’s Steely Return to make it 2-0
If Suresh’s performance provided the spark, Sumit Nagal supplied the steel. Playing his first Davis Cup tie since 2023, the Indian No. 1 was drawn against Marc-Andrea Huesler, a player with a strong indoor pedigree. Indoors has never been Nagal’s favorite surface, but he approached the challenge with unyielding determination.
From the outset, Nagal was relentless. He hustled, chased every ball, and peppered the court with winners, taking the first set 6-3. The second set was a slugfest, Huesler raising his level with booming serves and cleaner returns.
Yet Nagal held his nerve in the critical moments. In the tiebreak, after conceding a minibreak to trail 2-3, he responded with audacious returns and eventually sealed the contest with a trademark inside-out forehand winner.
It was the kind of match that showcased Nagal’s growing maturity the ability not just to fight, but to close. India, against the odds, found themselves leading 2-0.
The doubles rubber offered Switzerland a lifeline. The Indian pair started brightly against Dominic Stricker and Leandro Paul, surging to a 3-1 lead in the deciding set. But the Swiss, roared on by the home crowd, clawed their way back and snatched victory in three sets.
It was a painful blow for India, especially given how close they had come to sealing the tie outright. At 2-1, the pressure shifted back on the singles players.
Nagal Seals the Historic Win
The fourth rubber saw Nagal return, this time against teenager Henry Bernet, the reigning Australian Open junior champion. Bernet was drafted in after Kym suffered a calf injury, and the occasion weighed heavily on the youngster. Nagal pounced, targeting his one-handed backhand and breaking serve at will to take the first set 6-1.
The second set was more competitive, Bernet unleashing fearless winners to test Nagal’s composure. Serving at 0-30 in the fifth game, Nagal steadied himself with strong serving to hold, then immediately broke Bernet to love in the next game. From there, he closed the match with ease, giving India a 3-1 triumph and securing passage into the Qualifiers.
It was India’s first Davis Cup qualification since 2020, when they lost 1-3 to Croatia in the Qualifiers. This time, the story was different.
This victory belonged to the players, but also to captain Rohit Rajpal, whose decisions defined the tie. His faith in Suresh, his clarity in backing Nagal on an unfamiliar surface, and his calm leadership proved decisive.
For Nagal, the win cements his position as India’s spearhead, while for Suresh, it was the perfect introduction to Davis Cup tennis. Both showcased not just talent, but temperament the ability to deliver in moments that matter most.
The significance of this triumph cannot be overstated. For decades, Indian tennis has been searching for moments like this, victories that inspire belief and unite fans. To win in Europe, against a strong Swiss side, marks a new chapter.
With qualification secured, the focus shifts to the next stage. India’s opponents in the Qualifiers are yet to be announced, but what is clear is that this team has momentum. The blend of experience (Nagal, Yuki Bhambri) and youth (Suresh, Aryan Shah) promises an intriguing future.
Indian fans, long deprived of Davis Cup magic, can dare to dream again. This was more than just a win; it was a statement that Indian tennis, often overshadowed, can still produce special nights on the world stage. As one fan put it: “We’ve waited a long time for a result like this. Let this be the start of something bigger.”
For Indian tennis, the hope is that this is not just a historic weekend in Switzerland, but the beginning of a sustained resurgence.
