To the high-voltage rhythm of Eye of the Tiger and the deafening chants of "DK! DK!" at the S.M. Krishna Stadium, Indian tennis found its new lighthouse. Dhakshineswar Suresh, a 25-year-old communications student from Wake Forest University, orchestrated a nearly impossible 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in the Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 1.
While India’s No. 1 Sumit Nagal struggled with the physical toll of a recent injury, Suresh stepped into the breach with a "bazooka" serve that left the World No. 6-ranked Netherlands team searching for answers.
Decider: In the high-pressure fifth rubber against Guy den Ouden, Suresh hammered 15 aces to secure a 6-4, 7-6 win, pushing India into the second round of qualifiers for the first time since 2011.
Double duty: Just hours before his singles heroics on Sunday, Suresh replaced Sriram Balaji in the doubles, pairing with Yuki Bhambri to clinch a vital point in a three-set thriller.
Giant killer: His Saturday win over Jesper De Jong (No. 88) marked his first-ever victory over a Top-100 opponent, proving that his collegiate experience in the US has forged a professional-grade temperament.
I put my height to use and work on my strengths. When I get into crucial moments, I tell myself I did this a million times in training, so it is just another ball I am going to hit.Dhakshineswar Suresh
India’s victory returns the nation to the elite tier of the global hierarchy. Lady Luck has continued to smile on the team, as they have drawn a favourable second-round tie.
Opponent: South Korea (Away)
Dates: September 18–20, 2026
Stakes: A win in Korea would see India join the top seven nations and host Italy in the Davis Cup Grand Finale in Bologna this November.
| Rubbers | Matchup | Result | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber 1 | D. Suresh vs. J. De Jong | IND Won (2-0) | Suresh's 1st Top-100 win |
| Rubber 3 | Suresh/Bhambri vs. Pel/Arends | IND Won (2-1) | 1st doubles win vs. Europe in 5 ties |
| Rubber 5 | D. Suresh vs. G. Den Ouden | IND Won (2-0) | 15 Aces in 2 sets |
| Overall | India vs. Netherlands | 3-2 | India advances to 2nd Round |