New Delhi: The Indian men’s tennis team scripted history by defeating Switzerland 3-1 in their World Group I tie to secure a spot in the Davis Cup Qualifiers for the first time. Sumit Nagal starred in India’s victory over Switzerland as he defeated 18-year-old Henry Bernet in his reverse singles match to seal India’s victory in the contest.
37th-ranked Indian men’s team staged an upset against 9th-seeded Switzerland to make it to the 2026 World Group Qualifiers, while earning their first victory over a European nation in 32 years in the Davis Cup. India’s last victory against a European nation in the Davis Cup came in 1993, when they defeated France.
Nagal defeated the reigning junior Australian Open champion Bernet 6-1, 6-3 in the decisive fourth rubber to secure a 3-1 victory for the Indian team in their World Group I clash. Nagal helped India bounce back to winning ways after the Swiss pair of Jakub Paul and Dominic Stricker defeated the Indian men’s doubles pair of N Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Bollipalli 7-6 (3), 4-,6 5-7 in a close contest to remain alive in the tie at 2-1.
The Indian team started the day with 2-0 advantage, having won their first two singles matches on Friday. Debutant Dhakshineswar Suresh staged an upsent against Swiss No.1 Jerome Kym before Nagal won his opening singles match against Marc-Andrea Huesler 6-3, 7(7)-6(4) to give India 2-0 lead. India headed into Staurday, looking for only one win in their remaining three matches to clinch the contest.
However, the men’s doubles pair of Balaji and Bollipalli lost 6(3)-7(7), 6-4, 7-5 to Paul and Stricker, keeping Switzerland alive in the contest. Nagal was expected to take on Kym in his reverse singles fixture on Sunday, however, Switzerland fielded 18-year-old Bernet in the game. The Indian made light work of the junior Australian champion to wrap up a straight-sets victory and send India into the Davis Cup Qualifiers.