Dhakshineswar Suresh admitted his disappointment after letting a strong start slip against South Korea’s Soonwoo Kwon, but insisted India’s Davis Cup campaign remains a team effort despite the opening defeat in Seoul.
Suresh lost 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 to Kwon in the opening rubber of India’s Davis Cup Qualifiers second-round tie on Friday. The Indian made an impressive start, breaking early and taking a 3-0 lead before closing out the opening set 6-3. Kwon, however, gradually found his rhythm and turned the match around to give South Korea a 1-0 lead.
“I’m very disappointed. My teammates gave me a lot of support. Soonwoo fought extremely hard for the victory, and we were unable to get over the line. He played really well, so congratulations to him,” Suresh said after the match.
The defeat brought an end to Suresh’s unbeaten start to his Davis Cup career. Before Friday, he had won his first three singles rubbers and one doubles rubber for India.
Kwon’s adjustments after the opening set proved decisive. The Korean began returning from closer to the baseline and put greater pressure on Suresh’s serve, while also making it harder for the Indian to dictate play. Suresh was unable to maintain the same level of aggression that had earned him the first set.
Reflecting on the tactical battle, Suresh said Kwon’s ability to move him around the court made things increasingly difficult.
“Soonwoo made things difficult for me by making me move around the court more. I was unable to execute the shots that could have finished the points. We will work on those areas and come back better tomorrow.”
Suresh had chances to extend his advantage during the second set, but Kwon gradually seized control. After levelling the match at one set apiece, the Korean broke in the deciding set and held his nerve to close out the contest 4-6.
The result leaves India trailing 0-1 in the tie, with Sumit Nagal scheduled to face former world No. 19 Hyeon Chung in the second singles rubber.
For Suresh, however, the focus is already shifting towards the remaining rubbers.
“We will have more opportunities,” he said. “But this is a team competition, and we will have more opportunities.”
India entered the tie after a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in the previous round, with Suresh playing a pivotal role in that comeback. The winner of the Korea-India tie will become the first Asian nation to qualify for the Davis Cup Final 8 under the current format.