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Sumit Nagal Hails India's Davis Cup Win Over Netherlands as "Matter of Pride"

India secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in the Davis Cup Qualifier Round 1 in Bengaluru. The win was sealed by Dhakshineswar Suresh's crucial straight-sets victory in the decisive fifth rubber. Sumit Nagal, India's top-ranked men's player, hailed the team effort as a "matter of pride." Tennis legend Leander Paes also praised the upset win and singled out Suresh for his standout performance.

Key Points: India's Davis Cup Win Over Netherlands: Nagal, Paes React

  • India beat Netherlands 3-2 in Davis Cup Qualifier
  • Dhakshineswar Suresh won decisive fifth rubber
  • Victory advances India to September's Qualifiers 2nd Round
  • Leander Paes praised the team's "stunning upset"
2 min read

"Matter of pride for us": Nagal on India's Davis Cup Qualifier R1 win over Netherlands

Sumit Nagal calls India's Davis Cup victory a "matter of pride." Leander Paes praises Dhakshineswar Suresh's pivotal role in the 3-2 win over the Netherlands.

"It is a matter of pride for us. Everyone played well. Everyone did a fantastic job. - Sumit Nagal"

New Delhi, February 18

Following India's win over Netherlands in their Davis Cup in the Qualifier Round 1 clash in Bengaluru recently, India's number-one ranked men's tennis star Sumit Nagal hailed team's performance, calling it a "fantastic job".

Buoyed by Dhakshineswar Suresh's 6-4, 7-6 (4), victory over Guy Den Ouden, India secured an emphatic 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in the Davis Cup Qualifier Round 1 at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium in Bengaluru earlier in February.

India's victory paves the way to September's Qualifiers 2nd Round, where they will compete to make it to the eight-team Davis Cup Finals.

Speaking to ANI about the win, Nagal said, "It is a matter of pride for us. Everyone played well. Everyone did a fantastic job. The atmosphere was very good. Congratulations to Bengaluru for the successful organisation and execution of this event."

In the decisive fifth rubber, Suresh fired 15 aces in a composed performance under pressure. He broke Ouden in the seventh game to clinch the opening set. A thrilling second set saw them hold serve till 6-6 before Suresh secured the victory in the tie-break to seal the tie for India.

Just a couple of days back at the BBC Sportswoman of the Year award, Indian tennis legend and Olympic medalist Leander Paes had also praised Team India for their win over one of the top teams in Davis Cup and the 2024 edition runners-up.

"It was fantastic to see the Indian Davis Cup team pull off a stunning upset by defeating the Netherlands. I was part of the team when we beat Holland in Jaipur. And then seeing them come and do it in Bangalore was just a real thrill," he said.

Paes reserved special praise for Suresh, who played a pivotal role in the tie and emerged as one of the standout performers.

"I think Suresh is a great ambassador for India. I think he's going to be a fantastic Davis Cup player. Because he played with heart, he played with a lot of heart. And to see him come out and win all three matches, equalling and bettering my feat that I had done many times in Davis Cup, to win all three matches, my heart goes out to him and his team, his family. And he is just a great kid to see coming up. So I am very excited to watch Davis Cup all over again," Paes added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So proud of the team! Beating the runners-up from last year is no small feat. Leander Paes' praise means the world. Hope this momentum carries them all the way to the Finals in September!
V
Vikram M
A great win, no doubt. But we need to be realistic. The real test is consistency. We've had flashes of brilliance before. The federation must ensure these players get regular exposure to top-tier competition, not just during Davis Cup.
S
Sarah B
As someone who follows tennis globally, this is a significant result. The Netherlands have a strong team. Kudos to Suresh for that clutch performance. 15 aces is massive!
R
Rohit P
Bengaluru crowd deserves a shoutout too! Nagal mentioned the atmosphere. That home support in the decisive rubber makes a huge difference. Jai Hind!
M
Michael C
Heart and determination won this tie. Paes hit the nail on the head. Playing with heart is what Davis Cup is all about. Fantastic to see the legacy being carried forward.

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