Davis Cup: India relegated to World Group 2 after defeat to Denmark

India were relegated to World Group II for the first time in Davis Cup after they lost 1-3 to Denmark in Hillerod on Saturday, February 4. The home team took an unbeatable 3-1 lead after India's number one Sumit Nagal lost a hard-fought reverse singles match to World No. 9 Holger Rune in straight sets.

Sumit Nagal stunned Holger Rune with his aggressive play from the baseline and had two set points in the first set. However, the young Indian failed to capitalise on the opportunities that came his way to eventually go down 5-7, 3-6 in an hour and 37 minutes on the hard court at the Royal Stage in Hillerod.

Nagal cut a disappointed figure as he gave it his all in the first set before the French Open quarter-finalist upped his game and breezed through in the second set. Rune was made to work hard for his win, but once he got out of jail at the start of the second set, there was no stopping the 19-year-old.

Nagal needed to win the first reverse singles match to keep India's hopes alive as the senior doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and Yuki Bhambri lost the doubles rubber to Holger Rune and Johannes Ingildsen earlier in the day.

The



Danish pair made short work of the Indians winning 6-2 6-4 in just 65 minutes as Rune's presence proved to be a decisive factor.

It was Nagal, who had brought India back into the hunt as he fought back brilliantly from a set down to beat August Holmgren 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a 2-hour and 27-minute battle on Day 1 of the World Group Play-off tie.

Nagal restored the parity after Bhambri had a forgettable opening singles losing 2-6 2-6 to the rising teen sensation Rune.

Bhambri has quit singles and now plays only doubles on tour.

The 25-year-old Nagal, ranked 506, played a tireless match against World No. 484 August Holmgren and it seemed as if there was not enough left in the tank to trouble Rune, who looked shaky in the starting stages of their singles match on Saturday.

In the opening singles, Rune broke Bhambri twice in each set. The 19-year-old converted four of the seven break chances while the Indian did not get a single chance to break his opponent.

The final singles match between Prajnesh Gunneswaran and Moeller Elmer became inconsequential as Denmark sealed the unbeatable lead.