Dhakshineswar Suresh’s triple-win powers India to historic Davis Cup victory over Netherlands

Dhakshineswar Suresh produced a career-defining performance to power India to a memorable 3-2 victory over.

The Netherlands in their Davis Cup World Group I tie on Sunday, sealing the hosts’ place in Qualifiers Round 2. The 25-year-old won all three rubbers he featured in—both singles and the crucial doubles—marking the first time since the revamped Davis Cup format was introduced in 2019 that India have advanced to this stage.

A rare Davis Cup feat

Playing only his second Davis Cup tie, Dhakshineswar—popularly known as DK—delivered a rare triple-win performance. He claimed both his singles matches and partnered Yuki Bhambri to win the doubles, a feat scarcely seen in Indian Davis Cup history.

His heroics drew parallels with Leander Paes’ iconic effort against Japan in 2004, when Paes single-handedly won all three matches to steer India to victory.

More than two decades later, and ranked 465 in the world, Dhakshineswar stepped up under pressure once again. In the decisive fifth rubber, he defeated Guy de Ouden 6-4, 7-6(4), emerging as India’s unlikely match-winner.

Scenes of celebration

As Dhakshineswar struck the match-winning forehand, he dropped to the court in relief before being mobbed by teammates and lifted onto their shoulders. The win marked India’s second consecutive triumph over European opposition, following their away victory against Switzerland last year.

India, ranked 33rd in the Davis Cup standings, capitalised on a rare opportunity against a Netherlands side missing their top two singles players—world number 29 Tallon Griekspoor and world number 67 Botic van de Zandschulp—despite the visitors being ranked sixth overall.

Marathon doubles swings the tie

The tie was finely poised at 1-1 heading into the doubles, where Bhambri and Dhakshineswar outlasted David Pel and Sander Arends in a gruelling three-hour contest, winning 7-6(0), 3-6, 7-6(1) to give India a 2-1 lead.

The opening set went to a tie-break after neither pair conceded serve, with the Indians dominating without dropping a point. The Dutch pair responded in the second set, exploiting Bhambri’s serving difficulties.

The deciding set turned into a battle of endurance. India missed several break opportunities before a medical timeout for Arends—who was treated for a left-hand issue—shifted the momentum. His reduced effectiveness on serve allowed the Indians to seize control and close out the match.

Nagal stumbles, DK delivers

Sumit Nagal fell short in the reverse singles, squandering a one-set lead to lose 7-5, 1-6, 4-6 to world number 88 Jesper de Jong in a match that lasted nearly three hours. It marked Nagal’s second defeat of the tie.

With the contest level at 2-2, captain Rohit Rajpal turned to his trump card. Despite spending close to three hours on court in the doubles earlier in the day, Dhakshineswar showed no signs of fatigue in the decider.

Backed by a booming serve—he struck 15 aces—Dhakshineswar took the opening set and held his nerve in a tense second-set tie-break to complete a remarkable victory and book India’s place in the next round.