Bengaluru, 8 February. Dakshineswar Suresh gave a memorable performance here on Sunday and won the fifth and deciding match. With this, India achieved a shocking 3-2 victory over 2024 runners-up and world number six Netherlands in the first round of Davis Cup Qualifiers and entered the last 16.

Apart from both the singles, Suresh also won the doubles rubber with Bhambri.

The 25-year-old Dakshineswar, playing in Davis Cup for only the second time, won both the singles match and the doubles match with Yuki Bhambri, bringing back memories of Leander Paes’ miraculous performance against Japan in 2004. At that time, Paes single-handedly led India to victory by winning both the singles and one doubles match.

Dakshineswar brings back memories of Leander Paes’ unforgettable performance 22 years ago

22 years after Paes’ unforgettable performance, Dakshineswar, ranked 465 in the world rankings, gave a similar memorable performance by defeating Guy d’Ouden 6-4, 7-6 in the fifth and final match i.e. the second reverse singles. As soon as he won the match, Dakshineswar lay down on his back and all his teammates ran to hug him. The Indian team lifted him on their shoulders. To be honest, Indian captain Rohit Rajpal’s decision to field Dakshineswar in place of N Sriram Balaji proved to be correct in the three-hour long match.

India are in the second round of qualifiers for the first time since the introduction of the new format.

The Netherlands team was without its top two singles players Talon Greekspoor (world ranking 29) and Boteach van de Zandschalp (world ranking 67). India has made it to the second round of qualifiers for the first time since the introduction of the new format of Davis Cup in 2019.

India will face Korea in the second round

World number 33 India, who defeated Switzerland on their soil last year, will now face Korea at home on September 18-19. World number 22 Korea also pulled off a stunning upset and stunned world number 10 Argentina on home court.

Bhambri and Suresh won the doubles rubber in three sets

The second day was important for both the teams as the score was tied at 1-1 on the first day. In the first match of the day i.e. doubles rubber, Yuki Bhambri and Dakshineswar Suresh won the marathon match. The Indian pair defeated David Pell and Sander Arends 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 to give India a 2-1 lead.

Nagal faced defeat in first reverse singles

But on the contrary, after Sumit Nagal lost in singles, the fifth match became decisive. After winning a set, Nagal lost the match 7-5, 1-6, 4-6 to world number 88 Jasper de Jong in a match that lasted for almost three hours. Well, Dakshineswar Suresh satisfied India’s wishes by winning the final reverse singles.