Products You May Like
The Indian Davis Cup team was relegated to the World Group II for the first time since the new format was launched in 2019 after losing the playoff tie 2-3 to Denmark on Saturday.
Denmark were single-handedly carried by Holger Rune as the world number nine won three matches for the hosts.
The tie levelled at 1-1 after Friday’s matches, India needed to win the doubles but the pair of Yuki Bhambri and Rohan Bopanna lost 2-6, 4-6 in 65 minutes to the home team combination of Rune and Johannes Inglidsen.
India now had to win both the reverse singles to stay in World Group I. Nagal put a brave fight before losing his match 5-7, 3-6 in one hour and 37 minutes in the first reverse singles. The defeat gave Denmark an unassailable 1-3 lead and pushed India to World Group II.
Prajnesh Gunneswaran then took court in the final match of the tie against Elmer Moeller and won 6-4, 7-6 (1) in one hour and 39 minutes.
Earlier on Friday, Nagal had erased a one-set deficit to pip August Holmgren 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 27 minutes to make it 1-1 after Bhambri lost the opening singles match 2-6, 2-6 to the rising teen sensation Rune.
Bhambri had earlier announced that he quit singles and will concentrate playing only doubles on tour.