Davis Cup: India beat Switzerland, seal spot for next year's Qualifiers

The Indian men's tennis team created history in Biel on Saturday, defeating Switzerland 3-1 to seal their Davis Cup 2025 World Group I tie on Saturday, booking their place in the 2026 Qualifiers. It was India's first away victory against a European nation in 32 years, the last coming against France in 1993.

Sumit Nagal secured the tie for India with a commanding 6-1, 6-3 win over 18-year-old Henry Bernet in the decisive fourth rubber. Earlier, Nagal had also won his opening singles match to give India a 2-0 lead after debutant Dhakshineswar Suresh upset Swiss No.1 Jerome Kym.

Switzerland kept the contest alive with a doubles win, as Jakub Paul and Dominic Stricker edged N. Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Bollipalli 6-7(3), 6-4, 7-5 in a close battle. The Indian pair had chances, particularly in the second set, but faltered on key points.

Nagal, however, left no room for error against Bernet, who entered the line-up in place of Kym for the reverse singles. Bernet, the reigning Australian Open junior champion, struggled to match Nagal's intensity as the Indian wrapped up the tie in straight sets.

"It has been a while for us to win in Europe. We all pushed each other a lot in the team. We are happy with the win. The doubles was tough. The level was very high. I was sweating more, watching the match from the sidelines. When I had to play the young guy, I knew he was good. Young ones are always tricky as you don't know how they play. I was happy with the way I played the match," said Nagal.

With the result, India, ranked 37 in the Davis Cup standings, upset ninth-seeded Switzerland (ranked 24) to advance to the 2026 World Group Qualifiers. Switzerland will now have to contest the World Group I play-offs.

Three-time runners-up India (1966, 1974, 1987) will now look to build on this momentum in their bid to return to the top tier of the competition.