India’s Davis Cup campaign ended with a 3-1 defeat to the Republic of Korea in the second-round qualifiers, with Sumit Nagal’s loss in the fourth rubber handing the hosts an unassailable lead and a place in the Final 8.
India had entered the day 2-0 down after losing both singles rubbers on Friday and needed to win all three remaining matches to stay alive in the tie.
N Sriram Balaji and Dhakshineswar Suresh briefly revived India’s hopes by defeating Nam Ji-sung and Park Ui-sung 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the doubles rubber.
The Indian pair made an early breakthrough in the opening set and secured another break after their opponents levelled. South Korea fought back in the second set to force a decider, but Balaji and Suresh produced a crucial break in the eighth game of the third before serving out the match.
However, Kwon Soon-woo ended India’s comeback hopes with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory over Nagal. Kwon broke Nagal three times in the opening set and produced two more breaks in the second to seal the tie.
South Korea will now compete in the Final 8 in Bologna, Italy, in November, while India will have to enter the first round of the 2027 Davis Cup Qualifiers.
India had reached the Davis Cup final three times, finishing runners-up in 1966, 1974 and 1987, but have yet to make the Final 8 under the current format.
