India script history, enters its first-ever Davis Cup Qualifiers

Overview

• India beat Switzerland 3-1 in the World Group I tie and entered its first-ever Davis Cup Qualifiers
• Sumit Nagal's 6-1, 6-3 win over Henry Bernet helped India beat the 2014 Davis Cup winners to surge ahead
• It marked India's first Davis Cup win against an European team in 33 years away from home since Leander Paes and Ramesh Krishnan's efforts in 1993

India beat Switzerland 3-1 in the World Group I tie and entered its first-ever Davis Cup Qualifiers. Sumit Nagal's 6-1, 6-3 win over Henry Bernet helped India beat the 2014 Davis Cup winners to surge ahead. It marked India's first Davis Cup win against an European team in 33 years away from home since Leander Paes and Ramesh Krishnan's efforts in 1993.

Going into Day 2, India had a lead of 2-0, thanks to Nagal and Dhakshineshwar's wins over Marc-Andrea Huesler and Jerome Kym, respectively. Unfortunately for India, the doubles team of N Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Bollipalli lost to Jakub Paul and Dominic Stricker 7-6 (3) 4-6 5-7.

Also Read: Dhakshineswar & Nagal help India claim 2-0 lead versus Switzerland

It led to Nagal facing Bernet. The Junior Australian Open champion tried his best to overcame the top ranked Indian Men's Singles player, but in vain. Nagal won the match 6-1, 6-3, and helped India beat Switzerland. In January 2026, the first round of the Davis Cup Qualifiers will start. 

"I was sweating more on the sidelines than playing this match," - Sumit Nagal

Following his decisive win over Bernet, Nagal claimed how hard it was for the entire team to step up and deliver. He felt the Doubles match saw a good performance from both teams, which led to him sweating by just watching it from the outside. He felt Bernet was a tricky opponent to face due to his unpredictability.

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"It means a lot. It's been a while that we won in Europe. We worked very hard to be here. We pushed each other, I am very happy with the win. Doubles was tough, the level of tennis was very high from both teams. I was sweating more on the sidelines than playing this match. The young ones are always tricky, you don't know what's coming your way," Nagal said.