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Nagal’s Physical Struggle Ends India’s Davis Cup Hopes
India played Korea in an important Davis Cup tennis tie.
Korea won the tie by three matches to one.
India’s chances were badly hurt after losing both singles matches on the first day.
Sumit Nagal then needed to win his match to keep India’s hopes alive.
He lost to Kwon Soonwoo in two sets.
Nagal said he was tired and that the court conditions suited Kwon better.
Captain Rohit Rajpal said the whole team shared responsibility for the defeat.
India will play in the Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 1 in 2027.
India lost 1-3 to Korea in Seoul, ending its hopes of reaching the Davis Cup knockout round.
Sumit Nagal lost 1-6, 2-6 to Kwon Soonwoo in the must-win reverse singles match.
Nagal said he was physically below Kwon after playing a longer match on the opening day.
India fell 0-2 behind after both singles players surrendered opening-set leads on Friday.
Captain Rohit Rajpal defended Nagal, cited collective responsibility and said India would return to Qualifiers Round 1 in 2027.
- Who
- India’s Davis Cup team, led by captain Rohit Rajpal, played Korea; Sumit Nagal faced Kwon Soonwoo.
- What
- Korea defeated India 3-1 in a Davis Cup tie.
- Where
- Seoul, South Korea.
- When
- September 19, 2026, with the opening singles played the previous day.
- Why
- India fell behind 0-2 on the opening day and could not recover; Nagal also said he was physically below Kwon in the decisive match.
Nagal’s Explanation
Rajpal’s Team View
Reason for the defeat
Nagal’s Explanation
Nagal said he was physically a level below Kwon, who was fresher after playing a shorter match and benefited from conditions suited to his game.
Rajpal’s Team View
Rajpal said India collectively failed to finish key moments and that home advantage and luck favored Korea.
Responsibility for the loss
Nagal’s Explanation
Nagal accepted responsibility for his performance, saying it was his job to carry the team once he stepped on court.
Rajpal’s Team View
Rajpal refused to single out Nagal and said the team wins and loses together.
Opening-day impact
Nagal’s Explanation
Nagal’s long opening-day match left him at a physical disadvantage in the reverse singles, according to his account.
Rajpal’s Team View
Rajpal said the tie was effectively lost when India went 0-2 down on the first day and believed Nagal’s opening match could have gone India’s way.
Key facts
- Final score
- Korea defeated India 3-1.
- Nagal’s score
- Kwon Soonwoo beat Sumit Nagal 1-6, 2-6.
- Opening-day deficit
- India trailed 0-2 after the first day’s singles matches.
- Nagal’s 2026 Davis Cup record
- Four losses in four singles matches.
- Captain
- Rohit Rajpal.
- Next stage
- India will return to Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 1 in 2027.
- Key factors cited
- Physical fatigue, conditions favoring Kwon, missed opportunities and Korea’s home advantage.
Quotes
Rohit Rajpal
India’s Davis Cup captain
“We play as a team. I am not going to single out anyone for that matter. We win as a team. Even in Bengaluru he had a tear, he taped himself , we did not tell anyone and almost pulled off the match. Everybody goes up and down.”
theprint.in
rediff.com
“I think more than mentally, it was physically. He played at a very high level. I was one level down, he was one level up. That made a big difference between me and him. He just outplayed me, that's it.”
rediff.com
Sources
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