Davis Cup: Dhakshineshwar Suresh Upsets Jerome Kym, Puts India Ahead Vs Switzerland

Last Updated:September 12, 2025, 19:54 IST

Dhakshineshwar Suresh upset Jerome Kym in straight sets, giving India a 1-0 lead over Switzerland in the Davis Cup World Group I tie.

Davis Cup: India's Dhakshineshwar Suresh after winning (X)

Pulled from the reserves, Dhakshineshwar Suresh stunned higher-ranked Jerome Kym in straight sets, giving India a 1-0 lead against hosts Switzerland in the Davis Cup World Group I tie on Friday.

Captain Rohit Rajpal displayed immense faith in Dhakshineshwar by choosing him over Aryan Shah, and the tall player from Chennai did not disappoint, winning 7-6 (4) 6-3 in the opening singles against the 155th ranked Kym.

Ranked 626 on the ATP charts, Dhakshineshwar’s game far exceeded his ranking. He frequently approached the net after assessing his opponent’s play, who appeared to lack a backup plan.

What Dhakshineshwar Suresh Said After His Win?

“I just stayed calm, played my game, no matter the situation is. There was a lot of pressure, going for country for the first time. I feel I handled it pretty well. I played with my strength," said Dhakshineshwar.

“There were a few games where I could have broken but I relied on my serve which is my strength," he added.

Ranked 290, Sumit Nagal, making a comeback to Davis Cup after the 2023 tie against Morocco, will now face Marc-Andrea Huesler, who is 68 places above the Indian.

Both players started strong, serving powerfully, but Dhakshineshwar faced a challenge after consecutive unforced errors put him down 0-40 in the fourth game. He managed to reel off five straight points to level the game. His serve came under pressure again at 30-all in the sixth game, but he kept targeting his opponent’s backhand and found a backhand winner to close the game.

Kym’s serve wasn’t as powerful as Dhakshineshwar’s but was accurate enough to keep him in the lead. Dhakshineshwar’s strategy of charging the net more often earned him crucial points, significantly affecting the match’s outcome.

The first set, with no breaks of serve, was decided by a tie-breaker. Dhakshineshwar took a 5-3 lead after a powerful forehand to the corner that Kym couldn’t return. In the longest rally of the match, Kym’s forehand hit the net, giving Dhakshineshwar two set points. He missed the first with an inside-out forehand that clipped the net but converted the second with a backhand lob.

Kym got his first break chance in the fifth game of the second set when Dhakshineshwar misjudged a service return, thinking the ball was out, but it landed on the line. Dhakshineshwar saved that and another break point to stay in control. He faced more break points in his next service game but used powerful serves to save them all. He capitalised on his chances, breaking Kym at love to take a commanding 5-3 lead.

Dhakshineshwar sealed the match with an ace.

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

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News sports Davis Cup: Dhakshineshwar Suresh Upsets Jerome Kym, Puts India Ahead Vs Switzerland

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