Archive · 17 Sep 2026
India Faces South Korea’s Slow Court in Davis Cup Decider
India is playing South Korea in an important Davis Cup tennis tie.
The winner will reach the Final 8.
South Korea changed its court so the ball moves more slowly and does not bounce as much.
India’s captain says this was done to make things harder for Dhakshineswar Suresh and Sumit Nagal.
Dhakshineswar has a powerful serve, while Nagal likes balls that bounce.
India has already beaten Togo, Switzerland and the Netherlands to reach this stage.
India will not have doubles player Yuki Bhambri because he is injured.
Niki Poonacha will replace him alongside N Sriram Balaji.
The matches are being played at Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center, where South Korea will have home-crowd support.
South Korea resurfaced and slowed the court to limit India’s Dhakshineswar Suresh and Sumit Nagal.
India needs to win the tie in Seoul to reach the Davis Cup Final 8.
India reached the final qualifier after defeating Togo, Switzerland and the Netherlands in successive ties.
Yuki Bhambri is unavailable with a thigh injury, so Niki Poonacha will partner N Sriram Balaji in doubles.
Singles matches will see Dhakshineswar face Soonwoo Kwon and Nagal play Hyeon Chung.
- Who
- India and South Korea, including players Dhakshineswar Suresh, Sumit Nagal, Soonwoo Kwon and Hyeon Chung.
- What
- A Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 2 tie whose winner will advance to the Final 8.
- When
- The singles begin Friday, with doubles scheduled for the second day; coverage starts at 10:30 a.m.
- Where
- Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center in Seoul, South Korea.
- Why
- India is seeking a place in the Davis Cup Final 8, while South Korea has adjusted the court to challenge India’s players.
India’s View
South Korea’s Strategy
Court speed
India’s View
India captain Rohit Rajpal says South Korea deliberately slowed the court and reduced its bounce to counter Dhakshineswar Suresh and Sumit Nagal.
South Korea’s Strategy
South Korea prepared the surface in a way intended to make India’s playing styles less effective, according to India’s account.
Home advantage
India’s View
Dhakshineswar hopes Indian supporters in Seoul will provide extra energy despite South Korea’s home crowd.
South Korea’s Strategy
South Korea will have the advantage of playing in front of its own supporters.
- Competition
- Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 2
- Location
- Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center, Seoul
- Qualification stakes
- The winner reaches the Davis Cup Final 8.
- India’s route
- India beat Togo 4-0, Switzerland 3-1 and the Netherlands 3-2 in its previous three ties.
- Court adjustment
- South Korea resurfaced the hard court to slow it down and reduce the bounce.
- India doubles change
- Niki Poonacha replaces injured Yuki Bhambri alongside N Sriram Balaji.
- Broadcast
- DD Sports, Prasar Bharati Sports, Veto app and Waves OTT from 10:30 a.m.