India’s hopes in the Davis Cup 2024 World Group I tie against Sweden have taken a significant hit without their top singles player, Sumit Nagal. The absence of Nagal, who pulled out due to a back injury, has left a noticeable gap in the team’s line-up, particularly in the singles matches.
With India trailing 0-2 after the first day, Sumit Nagal’s presence could have provided much-needed stability and strength, especially given his proven experience on the international stage.
Impact of Sumit Nagal absence in Davis Cup
India’s singles players, Ramkumar Ramanathan and N Sriram Balaji, faced a tough challenge on Day 1 against Sweden’s Elias Ymer and Leo Borg, both suffering straight-set defeats.
Sumit Nagal, who holds a higher singles ranking and has more experience competing against top-level opponents, would have been a formidable opponent for the Swedish players.
Sumit Nagal, ranked 82nd in the world, has consistently delivered strong performances in recent times. His ability to adapt to different surfaces, combined with his aggressive baseline play, could have troubled Sweden’s top-ranked singles player Elias Ymer, who is ranked 238th.
Without Nagal, India relied on lower-ranked players, which tilted the advantage towards Sweden.
Strength and experience missing in India’s Davis Cup Team
Sumit Nagal’s experience in high-pressure matches would have been invaluable. His performances at the Grand Slams and ATP events show his ability to handle critical moments, an asset India sorely missed in the singles matches.
The Indian team, composed of relatively inexperienced players like Siddharth Vishwakarma and Niki Poonacha, lacked a reliable anchor who could challenge Sweden’s best players.
Doubles match Offers ray of hope
While India lost both singles matches on the first day, the doubles encounter still offers a chance for a comeback on Day 2. However, without Nagal, the team’s singles campaign appears significantly weakened. A healthy Nagal in the squad would have provided India with a fighting chance in the reverse singles, potentially pushing the tie into a deciding match.
Looking ahead to Davis Cup Day 2
Sumit Nagal’s absence from the Davis Cup tie against Sweden has undoubtedly hurt India’s chances. His presence would have given India a stronger foothold, especially in the singles matches, where his talent and experience are much needed. While India still has an opportunity to turn the tie around, the absence of their top player is a critical setback.
Sunday, September 15
- Match 3: Ramkumar Ramanathan/N Sriram Balaji vs Filip Bergevi/Andre Goransson – 4:30 PM IST onwards
- Match 4: N Sriram Balaji vs Leo Borg – after Match 3
- Match 5: Ramkumar Ramanathan vs Elias Ymer – after Match 4
Indian Davis Cup team: Ramkumar Ramanathan, Siddharth Vishwakarma, Aryan Shah, Nikki K Poonacha, N Sriram Balaji. Non-playing captain: Rohit Rajpal
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