Three shots, two misses allowed – that was the situation for the Indian team at the World Group I tie in Switzerland for the second day. In their very own Swiss Tennis Arena in Biel, the hosts needed three straight wins, one in doubles and two in singles, to prevent the loss against the underdog. Especially in doubles, our team felt to have the slight role of the favorite team. But the Davis Cup tells its own stories – like it did the day before… and it took the first singles match of the second day to bring our boys back into the top division of the team competition.

Report based on the original report by flyctory.com – find more pictures, including the morning brunch, there.

Jakub PAUL / Dominic STRICKER bt. Srinam BALAJI / Rithvik BOLLIPALLI 6-7(3) 6-4 5-7

With our guys both being ranked in the ATP-70’s, India was the slight favorite in this match. From the very beginning, there was a close fight between the two teams. Especially in the later parts of the match, both showed some great points and great rallies. From the very beginning, there were also chances for both, India and Switzerland, to break the serve. With Dominic Stricker to serve at 2-3 from his point of view, the Swiss faced a triple break point. The hosts saved two, but India converted the third chance, having a break advantage. Srinam Balaji served for the set at 5-3, but after leading 30-0, some close points gave Paul and Stricker a break point. The Swiss converted, which did not only tie the score, but boost the crowds. Biel had its third tie-break of the weekend – and again, the necessary luck was on the Indian side. At 3-3, India scored at opponent’s serve, giving them a comfortable 6-3 lead in the set decider. Balaji and Bollipalli converted the first one, so that they had set advantage.

The second set started with rather easy tasks for the serving pairings. Bollipalli had a bit of trouble in the fifth game, but saved that rather easily. On both sides, it felt rather difficult to gain momentum against the serve of the other team. The more, it was crucial when India had a break point at 4-4 at Jakub Paul’s serve. Switzerland hit a hard shot through the middle which barely touched the line. After the match had been such a thrill in front of a great audience, the ending of the second set was very unfortunate. Srinam Balaji faced triple break point. During the first one, a spectator clearly shouted “out”. While the Indians were confused, the Swiss played on and converted. Overall, winning the set by 6-4 was absolutely deserved, the ending has been just a bit too bitter.

The thriller continued in the third set. Dominic Stricker, who played a great match, was already 40-0 in the lead at own serve in the third game, but India turned it. At the following two two Indian service games, the guests faced a lot of trouble. While Bollipalli somehow survived, Balaji finished his serve with a double fault The score was tied again 3-3. Thereafter, both teams acted solid – until the very last game. Bollipalli struggled, facing triple break point (and thus: match point) at 5-6, own serve. This was too easy for the Swiss team, who won the third set and thus managed to stay in the tie.

Henry BERNET lost to Sumit NAGAL 1-6 3-6

Switzerland surprised by taking out the top ranked singles player in the squad, Jerome Kim and therefore relied on 18 year old ATP #603 ranked Henry Bernet. However, the domestic player came with the victory of the Juniors’ competition of the 2025 Australian Open and tournament victories on Futures level this year. However, he simply had to accommodate to that special level of pressure on the court. It almost took him the whole first set to do so. Sumit Nagal broke him thrice for a 6-1 first set victory.

However, in the second set the teenager did much better. Especially at the beginning of the set, he played pretty solid. Still, Sumit felt to be in control, despite some unforced errors on both side. There were even a few situation in which Bernet could have gone for a break against the Indian. Finally, Nagal was too experienced, having a rather easy one hour 6-1 6-3 victory and bringing back India in the top level of Davis Cup.