Tennis

India's Davis Cup hopes suffered a setback as they fell 0-2 behind Sweden in the World Group I tie on Saturday. N Sriram Balaji and Ramkumar Ramanathan were both defeated in straight sets in the opening singles matches.Balaji, a doubles specialist, was outplayed by Elias Ymer 6-4, 6-2. The Indian struggled to keep up with Ymer's powerful groundstrokes and was broken twice in each set.Ramkumar, a more experienced Davis Cupper, was expected to level the tie against Leo Borg, the son of legendary Bjorn Borg. However, the 21-year-old Borg proved to be a formidable opponent, winning 6-3, 6-3.Ramkumar's challenge fell apart in just 58 minutes. He failed to find a way past Borg's solid serve and consistent groundstrokes. The Indian also made several unforced errors, which proved costly.India now face an uphill battle to win the tie. They need to win all three remaining matches on Sunday, including the doubles and two reverse singles.Captain Rohit Rajpal has a tough decision to make regarding the doubles pairing. Balaji and Ramkumar could be given another chance, but Niki Poonacha may also be considered.India have a history of overcoming 0-2 deficits in Davis Cup ties. They beat Brazil in 2010 and China in 2018 after trailing 0-2. However, they will need to produce a special performance to do so again against Sweden.

Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal has commenced his campaign at the Nordea Open with a resounding victory over Elias Ymer. Nagal, ranked 68th in the ATP singles chart, overcame the Swede wild card in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. This triumph marks Nagal's first win against Ymer, who had previously defeated him twice.Nagal's victory is a testament to his recent resurgence. He has been in impressive form, showcasing his skills and determination on the court. His triumph over Ymer, who has enjoyed success in India, further solidifies his status as India's top singles player.Nagal's next challenge will be against world number 36 Mariano Navone from Argentina. This match promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both players are known for their aggressive style of play. Nagal will be eager to continue his winning streak and secure a spot in the next round.Meanwhile, Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji, who will represent India in men's doubles at the Paris Olympics, are set to make their ATP Tour debut as a pair. They will face the German duo of Mark Wallner and Jakob Schnaitter in the opening round of the Hamburg Open, an ATP 500 event. This tournament will provide them with valuable experience and preparation for the upcoming Olympics.