Davis Cup

Rafael Nadal to bid farewell on home soil after Davis Cup match against NED

The 38-year-old will be teaming up with young sensation Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers

Davis Cup 2024: Argentina enters final after a hard fought win over Finland

Argentina clinched a berth in the eight-team Davis Cup Final with a tense 3-0 win over Finland. The Argentines have reached the quarterfinals in Malaga, Spain, in November for the first time in five years. They had to battle in Group D in Manchester after an opening loss to 2022 champion Canada. They beat host Britain on Friday and overcame a gritty Finland, a semifinalist last year but without its best player on Saturday. Tomas Martin Etcheverry beat 703rd-ranked Eero Vasa 7-6(5) 6-3, then Francisco Cerundolo outlasted Otto Virtanen 6-7(4) 6-1 6-0. Argentina needed the doubles, and Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni delivered against Patrick Kaukovalta and Harri Heliovaara 6-7(3) 6-4 6-3. The result forces Britain to have to beat Canada 3-0 on Sunday to advance at Canada's expense. In Bologna, Brazil beat Belgium 2-1 after losses to Italy and the Netherlands in Group A. Three-set wins by Joao Fonseca and Thiago Monteiro followed by a doubles loss took more than six hours to comp

Davis Cup 2024: United States takes unassailable 2-0 lead over Chile

Brandon Nakashima and Reilly Opelka won their singles matches Wednesday to give the United States an unassailable 2-0 lead over Chile in the group stage of the Davis Cup Finals at Zhuhai, China. Nakashima beat Alejandro Tabilo 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-6 (3) after Reilly Opelka defeated Cristian Garin 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (3) to give the Americans an early lead following the 2 hour, 26-minute opener. The two singles matches lasted more than five hours, and there was a doubles match still to be played. Four groups are playing in four cities this week to qualify for the Final 8 knockout stage to be held in Malaga, Spain, in November. The top two countries in each four-team group will advance. The US, which has a leading 32 Davis Cup titles its most recent in 2007 was over Russia is bidding to reach the quarter-finals for the second time since the Davis Cup Finals were introduced in 2019. In the qualifiers this year, the Americans defeated Ukraine 4-0 on neutral ground in Vilnius, Lithuania. Later .

Sumit Nagal injures his back, withdraws from Davis Cup tie against Sweden

India's top singles player Sumit Nagal on Monday pulled out of the upcoming Davis Cup tie against Sweden due to a back injury. Nagal recently lost his first round singles contest to Tallon Griekspoor at the US Open. The indoor hard-court contest in Stockholm will be played on September 14-15. "I was really looking forward to representing in the upcoming Davis Cup tie against Sweden," Nagal wrote on social media. "However, due to a back issue that's been bothering me for the past few weeks, doctors have advised me to rest for the next two weeks, leaving me without enough time to prepare and compete in Sweden. This same issue also led to my withdrawal from the US Open doubles "I'm deeply disappointed to be missing this tie, but I have to listen to my body to prevent the back from worsening, so that I can finish the season strong and healthy. Good luck to the Indian team - I'll be cheering for you all from home!" he added. Nagal reached a career-high ranking of 68 in July but has dr

India can beat Sweden on clay surface in Davis Cup: Ramkumar Ramanathan

Ramkumar Ramanathan says Indian Davis Cup team is well-equipped to tackle the challenge of Sweden even if the hosts choose to play on clay courts in the September tie. Indian team will travel to Sweden, hoping to get its first win over the European nation in the sixth clash between the two sides. Ramkumar said their familiarity with the game style of Sweden players will also stand them in good stead. India qualified for the World Group after beating Pakistan 4-0 recently in the playoffs held in Islamabad. "I am sure they are going to play on clay. But we have been playing some unbelievable tennis and then there is Sumit Nagal, and I think he can grind them off, and I am sure he is very fit too," Ramkumar told media here during the felicitation ceremony of Davis Cup players organised by the KSLTA. "Rankings don't matter on court because it comes down to how well we play on that particular day. You have seen how Aisam (ul-Haq Quershi of Pakistan) performed (in the Davis Cup), right?

India's Davis Cup heroes to headline Bengaluru Open tennis tournament

Fresh from their Davis Cup win over Pakistan, four Indians including Ramkumar Ramanathan and N Sriram Balaji will be in action in the Bengaluru Open slated to be held from February 12-18. India's top singles player Sumit Nagal, who opted out of the Davis Cup, will also be seen in action, having earned a direct entry by virtue of his 137th rank. The cut-off for the Bengaluru Open was 257. At the Australian Open last month, Nagal had knocked out world number 27 Alexander Bublik in the first round of the main draw. In the doubles, Ramkumar has partnered big-serving compatriot Saketh Myneni, while Balaji has teamed up with Germany's Andre Begemann. Ramkumar and Myneni won the doubles title in 2022. World Ranked 78 Balaji and Begeman (WR 201) will be the third-seeded team in the 16-team draw with a combined rank of 279. Myneni (WR 107) and Ramkumar (WR 210) are the sixth-best team in terms of their combined rank of 317. The top-ranked team in the event will be of Frenchman Dan Added

Davis Cup 2024: India blank Pakistan 4-0, seal place in World Group I

Indian Davis Cup team capped its historic visit to Pakistan after 60 years by sealing its place in World Group I as it blanked Pakistan 4-0 with Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni recording a comfortable victory and Niki Poonacha making a winning debut, here Sunday. Taking the court with a 2-0 lead in pocket, Bhambri and Myneni subdued the home team of Muzammil Murtaza and Aqeel Khan 6-2 7-6(5) in the doubles rubber to extend India's dominance of Pakistan in the tournament. Aqeel replaced Barkat Ullah in the side. The idea was to have an experienced player for the do-or-die match, the defeat in which would have clinched India the tie. However, Bhambri and big-serving Myneni did not put a foot wrong in the match in which they were not troubled by their rivals much. The gulf in quality in the two teams was apparent. Myneni's big serves were too hot to handle for the home team. Myneni hardly lost a point on his serve and was also superb at the net also. The Indian players' returns were

Davis Cup: Ramkumar pips Aisam, hands India 1-0 lead against Pakistan

Ramkumar Ramanathan overcame a fighting Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi in a tight opening singles to hand India a 1-0 lead over Pakistan in the Davis Cup World Group I play-off, here Saturday. Ramkumar lost the first set after battling hard against a fired up Aisam, much to the delight of partisan crowd, but bounced back to emerge a 6-7(3) 7-6(4), 6-0 winner at Islamabad Sports Complex in freezing cold conditions. Aisam struggled to contain his double faults while Ramkumar began to return better as the match progressed. N Sriram Balaji will now take on Aqeel Khan in the second singles of the tie. Aisam played out of his skin to make it a match but struggled with his left hamstring at the start of the third set. He lost steam towards the end. Ramkumar saved two break points in game eight of second set and that eventually became crucuial in then outcome of the match. Ramkumar quickly overcame the initial jitters to serve out the opening game at love with an ace. Points were long when Aisam s

Davis Cup: Indian team frets over visa denial to reserve player Prajwal Dev

Captain Rohit Rajpal worked on Saketh Myneni's volleys while N Sriram Balaji was getting used to not hitting in the alleys as the Indian Davis Cup team continued its preparations for the upcoming tie against Pakistan here Friday. Coach Zeeshan Ali threw more balls on Myneni's body and Rajpal advised him to keep his head a bit down and still. "Do not go up on your toes, keep your feet grounded when you make contact," said Rajpal. Myneni applied and immediately felt the difference. This was because it is a bit difficult for taller players to move sideways, and rivals feed a lot of ball on the body. Myneni has been peppered with such balls on the Tour and Rajpal wanted his player to be ready for the challenge. Ramkumar Ramanathan's grunts echoed around Delhi Gymkhana. He first played sets with Balaji and then also practiced with Niki Poonacha, who is also being prepared for the singles matches. BALAJI TO PLAY SINGLES ================= Most likely it will be Balaji who will do the s

Davis Cup: Team India begin preparations for arch-rivals Pakistan tie

Braving cold conditions, the Indian Davis Cup team began its preparatory camp for the upcoming grass court tie against Pakistan, keen to find a second singles player in the absence of top-ranked Indian Sumit Nagal. Country's top singles players -- Nagal (ranked 137) and Sasikumar Mukund (ranked 463) -- have pulled out of the tie February 3-4 tie in Islamabad. Their absence means that Ramkumar Ramanathan is the only singles specialist player in the team. Captain Rohit Rajpal has to choose between Yuki Bhambri and N Sriram Balaji to play the second singles. Bhambri, at 61 in the ATP doubles list, is the team's highest ranked player and will certainly play the doubles rubber as well. Veteran Rohan Bopanna, who is India's best doubles player, has retired from Davis Cup. Niki Poonacha is also an option but he is ranked as low as 783 and the team may not field him in singles. Both Bhambri and Balaji took a day off since they travelled straight from Melbourne after competing in the ...

Davis Cup, IND vs PAK: SD Prajwal Dev added to Indian team as replacement

Talented SD Prajwal Dev on Thursday was added to the Indian team as a replacement player for the upcoming Davis Cup tie in Pakistan. Prajwal was not initially named in the squad for the World Group I Play-off tie on February 3 and 4 to be held in Islamabad, but got the call after reserve player Digvijay Singh pulled out of the tournament. I have been playing well in the ITF tournaments in India and abroad for the last two seasons. I view this opportunity as a reward for my consistency and I am quite elated to represent my country in the Davis Cup, Prajwal told PTI. The 27-year-old Prajwal, who led Karnataka in the recent National Games held in Goa, said: I am committed to giving my best on the court and contributing to a successful campaign for India. The Mysuru man is currently 609 in the ATP rankings. The All India Tennis Federation (AITA) is waiting for the clearance from the Indian government to travel to Pakistan. We have not yet got the approval in writing but it is likely

AITA hopeful of getting clearance for travel to Pakistan for Davis Cup

The Indian team is likely to get clearance to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Davis Cup tie against the neighbouring nation, the national federation said on Saturday. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) had recently written to the Sports Ministry, seeking advise if they can send the national team to Pakistan for the World Group I Play-off tie on February 3-4. "We have not yet got the approval in writing but it is likely that we will get clearance soon. We have been told that since it is not bilateral tournament and the one organised by the ITF, the government does not have a policy to interfere in such events," AITA Secretary General Anil Dhupar told PTI. "There is process involved. The sports ministry has forwarded the request to the MEA and the Home Ministry's view will also be taken before a final decision is made. We are hoping to get the clearance soon. "We are preparing for the tie and the travel," he added. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) on Saturday

AITA seeks Sports Ministry's advise on India's Davis Cup tour to Pakistan

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Tuesday sought the Sports Ministry's advise on the national team's travel to Pakistan for the Davis Cup World Group 1 Play-off tie against the neighbours at Islamabad in February next year. The AITA's move came after the International Tennis Federation Tribunal rejected its request to shift the tie to a neutral venue. "We have asked for Sports Ministry's advise as to what is the policy on travelling to Pakistan. It's a World Cup of tennis. We are awaiting reply," AITA Secretary General Anil Dhupar told PTI. The tie is scheduled to be played at the Pakistan Sports Complex on February 3 and 4. Dhupar had earlier told PTI that the AITA will approach the Sports Ministry on Monday and seek guidance if they can send a team. India and Pakistan were last drawn against each other in 2019 and the tie was scheduled to take place across the border as the Indians had hosted the previous encounter in Mumbai in 2006. But the AITA managed to shift the t

Davis Cup: Ramkumar to lead Indian challenge against Pakistan on grass

Ramkumar Ramanathan was on Sunday named in a five-member squad for the grass court challenge against Pakistan -- a clear sign that an Indian Davis Cup side is preparing to play on Pakistan soil for the first time in 60 years even as AITA awaits ITF tribunal's decision on its appeal against travel to neighbouring nation on security concerns. India last travelled to Pakistan way back in 1964 when they beat the hosts 4-0. India have never lost to Pakistan in the Davis Cup competition in eight ties against each other. Ramkumar, whose serve and volley game style suits the grass surface, will lead the squad that includes N Sriram Balaji, Yuki Bhambri, Niki Poonacha and Saketh Myneni as All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Sunday named the team for the February 3-4 World Group I play-off tie. The team has only Ramkumar and 2019 national champion as singles players while the three others now play only doubles on the ATP Tour. It will not be a surprise if captain Rohit Rajpal asks Bhambri

Davis Cup: India vs Pakistan again, PTF won't agree for neutral venue

India have been drawn to play Pakistan in the World Group I Play-offs and the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) on Thursday made it clear that it won't agree to shift their home tie to a neutral venue this time. India had drawn Pakistan in 2019 also but due to "security concerns" the Asia/Oceania Group I tie was shifted to Kazakhstan, a neutral venue. As a mark of protest, Pakistan's top players Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan had opted not to play the tie in which rookies Mohammed Shoaib, Huzaifa Abdul Rehman and Yousaf Khalil competed for them. India had expectedly thrashed a weak Pakistan line-up 4-0. In a lop-sided contest, Pakistan won only seven games in the entire tie. The ITF had agreed to shift the tie to a neutral venue in 2019 but it will be very tough for AITA to convince the world governing body if the national federation pushes for a neutral venue. Pakistan's veteran player Aqeel Khan told PTI that they are hoping for the Indian team to travel to their nation. "I

Love of Davis Cup missing, now it's just another tournament: Rohan Bopanna

Someone who willingly tweaked his own game to adjust to the styles of legendary Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi while playing for the country, Rohan Bopanna often gets baffled to find the love of playing Davis Cup diminishing with passage of time. Bopanna does not find the current lot as passionate about playing the David Cup compared to players from past generations. "It has become too mechanical to just come, play and leave," says Bopanna who is set to quit Davis Cup this coming Sunday. A bit agitated, he feels Davis Cup has become just another tournament for the current generation of players. On the other side, Davis Cup is one tournament where it is believed across the globe that rankings won't matter every time. Even the tiny tennis nations sometimes succeed in flooring the behemoths. And that belief came from the team unity, proper planning and passionate support coming from the bench and the teammates who would shout their hearts out to support the player on the court from

Davis Cup to become part of ATP Tour calendar from next year: ITF

The Davis Cup will become part of the ATP Tour calendar from next year under, the governing body of men's tennis said in a statement on Monday.

Dutch duo beat Americans to finish top of Davis Cup Finals group

Botic van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor won their singles against Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul for the Netherlands to finish top of their Davis Cup Finals group with a 2-1 win. Van de Zandschulp settled the tie when he defeated Fritz, the world No. 12, 6-4, 7-6 (3) after Griekspoor opened with a 7-5, 7-6 (3) victory over Paul. The Dutch had an unassailable 2-0 lead, then Rajeev Ram and Jack Sock earned some compensation for the Americans by winning their doubles against Wesley Koolhof and Matwe Middelkoop. The United States and Netherlands were already assured of reaching the quarterfinals with two wins each in Group D. As group winner, the Dutch next face the runner-up in Group C, either Australia or Germany. The U.S. will play the Group A winner, most likely Italy. The Italians play on Sunday in Bologna against Sweden. Also on Saturday, Croatia defeated Argentina 3-0 for its second win after losing its opener to Italy. Canada lost to Serbia 2-1 in Valencia but ..

Davis Cup 2022: India trail Norway 0-2 on opening day of World Group I

Prajnesh Gunneswaran was defeated by US Open semifinalist Casper Ruud, while Ramkumar Ramanathan was beaten by Viktor Durasovic in their respective singles matches

Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz loses to Canada's Auger-Aliassime at Davis Cup

Carlos Alcaraz's biggest fans had flocked see the world's new top-ranked player in his homecoming to Spain. Instead, they witnessed Felix Auger-Aliassime beat their new idol before staying on the hard court to secure a second victory in doubles and help Canada score a 2-1 upset win over Spain in the Davis Cup group phase on Friday. Alcaraz lost 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2 to a superb Auger-Aliassime, who endured the partisan crowd and tilted the match at Valencia his way after the 19-year-old Spaniard dug deep to claim the first-set tiebreaker. Felix is a beast. Physically and mentally, Felix is one of the best in the world, Alcaraz said after his first match since winning the U.S. Open last weekend to become the youngest man to rise to the top of the ATP rankings. I didn't come in very good physical condition, he added. It was a very tough day, but I have to say congratulations to him because he played an unbelievable game. As the pavilion roared for Alcaraz, Auger-Aliassime coolly respond