Davis Cup Qualifying Round 1st Round
World number 457 Suresh pushes India past the Netherlands in the Davis Cup qualifiers
The US, Czech Republic and France, among others, achieved victory on Sunday
February 8, 2026
Dhakshineswar Suresh is congratulated by his teammates after completing a famous Davis Cup win for India.
By ATP staff
Dhakshineswar Suresh had a perfect weekend to propel India to its best Davis Cup result in recent memory in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Suresh, the No. 457 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, upset No. 162 Guy Den Ouden 6-4, 7-6(4) to give India a milestone 3-2 win against the Netherlands in the first round of the 2026 Davis Cup qualifiers. Suresh had already defeated world No. 88 Jesper de Jong in straight sets on Saturday, while he also teamed up with Yuki Bhambri for a crucial 7-6(0) 3-6, 7-6(1) doubles victory against Sander Arends and David Pel.
India were Davis Cup finalists in 1966, 1974 and 1987 and have now won three consecutive Davis Cup matches for the first time since 2013-14. They defeated Togo in 2025 before stunning Switzerland to reach the 2026 qualifiers, and having beaten the Netherlands as 2024 finalists, the Asian country will enter the second qualifying round for the first time since the format was introduced in 2019.
Standing between India and a place in November’s Davis Cup final is South Korea. 2018 Australian Open semi-finalist Hyeon Chung, who has struggled with persistent injuries in recent years, dealt his country the crucial blow as he defeated Marco Trungelliti 6-4, 6-3 to seal a 3-2 victory against Argentina in Busan.
The United States, Canada, France and the Czech Republic will also compete in September’s second qualifying round. The US completed a 4-0 win against Hungary after Australian Open doubles champion Christian Harrison teamed with Austin Krajicek to tie for the 32-time champion.
Canada eased past Brazil 3-2 after Gabriel Diallo and Liam Draxl claimed singles victories in Vancouver on Sunday, while France – led by world champion Arthur Rinderknech – defeated Slovakia 3-1. The Czech Republic, led by world number 21 Jiri Lehecka, passed Sweden 3-1.
Belgium and Ecuador were the other countries to win Sunday’s first round qualifiers. Belgium defeated Bulgaria 4-0, while Ecuador produced a stunning opening day in Quito to complete the upset of 28-time title winners Australia. Gonzalo Escobar and Diego Hidalgo secured a 7-6(5), 6-4 doubles victory against Rinky Hijikata and Jordan Thompson to give the South Americans an unassailable 3-0 lead with one final singles rubber to be played.
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