The second round Davis Cup 2026 qualifier between India and South Korea will take place on September 18-19 at the Olympic Tennis Centre in Seoul, featuring matches on hard courts.
The victor will earn a place in the Final 8 stage of the Davis Cup, scheduled for November in Bologna, Italy, according to Olympics.com.
South Korea is ranked 16th in the Davis Cup standings and holds a narrow 6-5 head-to-head lead over India, currently ranked 19th. India will announce their team for the tie on Monday.
The two teams last faced each other in 2016, when India won 4-1 in an Asia/Oceania Group I tie played on grass courts in Chandigarh. Earlier this year, India secured their spot in the second round by defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in Bengaluru. During that encounter, India were ranked 33rd globally, against the Netherlands who were ranked sixth.
Dhakshineswar Suresh was a key player for India in that tie, winning both his singles rubbers and partnering with Yuki Bhambri to claim victory in the doubles match.
The 3-2 victory marked India’s first progression to the second round of the qualifiers since the adoption of the current format in 2019. South Korea also advanced to the second round by defeating the 2016 champions Argentina 3-2 in Busan. South Korea has reached the 16-team Davis Cup Finals in both 2022 and 2023, while India aims to reach the Final 8 for the first time under the present format.
India have previously finished as Davis Cup runners-up on three occasions, in 1966, 1974 and 1987.