Sumit Nagal admitted he was left disappointed after letting slip a strong start against Hyeon Chung, but insisted India still have a chance of turning around their Davis Cup tie against South Korea after going 0-2 down on the opening day in Seoul.
Nagal lost 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 to former world No. 19 Chung in a gruelling three-set battle that lasted more than three hours. The Indian made an impressive start, taking the opening set 6-2, but Chung fought back to level the match before edging a closely contested deciding set.
“It was a really long match, but I expected it to be a long one,” Nagal said after the contest. “I had many opportunities in the second set but failed to take them. The third set was a dogfight. It was a very tough match, and in the end, Chung came out on top.”
Nagal had looked in control early on, racing to a 4-0 lead in the opening set and eventually taking it 6-2. He also created opportunities in the second set, but Chung responded when it mattered, recovering from a 3-4 deficit to win three consecutive games and take the set 6-4.
The deciding set followed a similar pattern of momentum swings. Chung established an advantage, but Nagal fought back to level the set. At 5-5, however, the Korean produced the decisive hold and then closed out the match 7-5. Chung finished the contest after three hours and six minutes.
For Nagal, the immediate focus is now on India’s remaining chances in the tie rather than the disappointment of his own defeat.
“I think this is the beauty of the Davis Cup. Although we are 0-2 down, we still have every chance of winning the tie,” Nagal said. “Rather than focusing on my match, our goal now is to start by winning the doubles tomorrow.”
India’s situation is straightforward but demanding: they must win all three remaining rubbers to overturn the 0-2 deficit. The doubles rubber is scheduled first on Saturday, followed by reverse singles if required.
The opening day saw both Indian singles players take the first set before ultimately losing in three. Dhakshineswar Suresh went down 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to Kwon Soon-woo in the opening rubber before Chung completed Korea’s comeback against Nagal.
South Korea therefore need just one victory from Saturday’s three remaining rubbers to secure the tie, while India will be looking to reproduce the fighting spirit Nagal showed in his three-set battle and keep their Final 8 hopes alive.