Dhakshineswar Suresh delivered a performance for the ages, claiming all three rubbers he played to power India to a memorable 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in their Davis Cup World Group I tie on Sunday. The 25-year-old’s heroics sealed India’s place in Qualifiers Round 2, marking the first time since the new Davis Cup format began in 2019 that the hosts have reached this stage.
A Rare Triple-Win Performance
Playing only his second Davis Cup tie, Dhakshineswar—affectionately known as DK—won both his singles rubbers and teamed up with Yuki Bhambri to claim the doubles, a feat rarely seen in Indian Davis Cup history. His performance evoked memories of Leander Paes’ legendary effort against Japan in 2004, when Paes swept all three matches to single-handedly steer India to victory.
More than two decades later, Dhakshineswar, ranked a lowly 465 in the world, produced a similarly defining display. He shouldered the immense pressure in the decisive fifth rubber against
Guy de Ouden, winning 6-4, 7-6(4) to emerge as India’s new Davis Cup hero.
The Winning Moment
As Dhakshineswar hit the match-winning forehand, he collapsed onto his back in sheer relief and joy. His teammates rushed to embrace him before hoisting him onto their shoulders, celebrating a rare consecutive triumph over European opposition. India had beaten Switzerland in their own backyard last year, and this victory continued that momentum.
The Netherlands were without their top two singles players—world number 29 Tallon Griekspoor and world number 67 Botic van de Zandschulp—which gave India, ranked 33rd in Davis Cup standings, a fighting chance against the world number six team. They seized it with both hands.
Marathon Doubles Sets Up Victory
Beginning the day tied at 1-1, Bhambri and Dhakshineswar outlasted David Pel and Sander Arends in a gruelling three-hour doubles rubber, prevailing 7-6(0), 3-6, 7-6(1) to put India ahead 2-1.
The opening set was a tense affair, with both pairs holding serve until the tie-break, where the Indians raced to a commanding lead without dropping a point.
The Netherlands struck back in the second set, capitalising on Bhambri’s serving struggles to level the match. The decider became a war of attrition, with India creating multiple break opportunities that went begging. The turning point came when Arends took a medical timeout for treatment on his left hand. From there, his serve lost effectiveness, allowing India to seize control and close out the match.
Nagal Falls Short, DK Steps Up
Sumit Nagal, who had a one-set advantage, lost 7-5, 1-6, 4-6 to world number 88 Jesper de Jong in a draining reverse singles that lasted nearly three hours. This was Nagal’s second defeat of the tie, having also lost the opening singles.
With everything on the line, Captain Rohit Rajpal’s “trump card” was delivered. Despite spending close to three hours on court in the doubles, Dhakshineswar showed no signs of fatigue in the decider.
His big serve—15 aces in total—proved unstoppable as he clinched the opening set and held his nerve through a tight second-set tie-break to complete a stunning victory and book India’s passage to the next round.
– Ends
