Asian tennis had a busy Davis Cup weekend, with 12 nations from the continent competing across the Qualifiers Second Round, World Group I and World Group II. The biggest result came in Seoul, where Korea Republic defeated India 3–1 to earn a place in the Davis Cup Final 8 for the first time.
India made a promising start in both opening singles matches but could not finish the job. Dhakshineswar Suresh won the first set against Soonwoo Kwon before the Korean recovered to win 3–6 6–3 6–4. Sumit Nagal also took the opening set against Hyeon Chung, but Chung fought back for a 2–6 6–4 7–5 victory, giving the hosts a 2–0 lead after the first day.
India kept the tie alive through N. Sriram Balaji and Suresh, who defeated Jisung Nam and Uisung Park 6–3 3–6 6–3 in the doubles. Kwon then returned to the court and beat Nagal 6–1 6–2 to complete Korea Republic’s 3–1 victory.
The result made Korea Republic the only Asian nation to qualify for the 2026 Davis Cup Final 8. They will now represent the continent in Bologna from 24 to 29 November.
Three Asian teams competed in World Group I, with Japan and Chinese Taipei both recording important victories.
Japan travelled to Auckland and defeated New Zealand 3–1. Rei Sakamoto gave Japan the opening point before Sho Shimabukuro came from a set down to win the second singles match. New Zealand kept the tie alive by winning the doubles, but Shimabukuro returned to beat Anton Shepp 6–3 6–3 and seal the result for Japan.
Chinese Taipei came through a much closer contest against Sweden in Taipei. The teams were level at 1–1 after the opening singles, before Sweden moved ahead by winning the doubles. Chun-hsin Tseng brought Chinese Taipei level with a straight-sets victory over Olle Wallin, and Tung-lin Wu completed the comeback by defeating Max Dahlin 6–4 6–4. Chinese Taipei won the tie 3–2.
China faced a difficult away tie against Norway in Trondheim and went down 4–0. Casper Ruud led the hosts with two singles victories, while Norway also claimed the doubles after a closely fought three-set match.
World Group II featured seven Asian nations. Kazakhstan and Thailand produced one of the closest ties of the weekend in Astana. Kazakhstan moved 2–0 ahead after the opening singles, but Thailand responded through Maximus Jones and Pruchya Isaro in the doubles. Kasidit Samrej then defeated Alexander Shevchenko to level the tie at 2–2. In the deciding match, Timofey Skatov held his nerve to beat Jones 6–4 4–6 6–4 and give Kazakhstan a 3–2 victory.
Lebanon completed a 4–0 win over Syria in their all-Asian tie in Monastir. Benjamin Hassan, Fadi Bidan and the doubles pair of Hassan and Hady Habib Ibrahim helped Lebanon establish an unassailable lead before William Jade added the final point.
Hong Kong, China, faced Bolivia on clay in Santa Cruz and lost 3–1. Bolivia secured the tie by winning the opening two singles matches and the doubles, while Sin-hang Tam earned Hong Kong, China’s only point in the final match.
Indonesia were beaten 4–0 by Romania in Jakarta, while Pakistan lost 3–0 to Tunisia in Monastir. Muhammad Shoaib and Muzammil Murtaza were defeated in the opening singles before Tunisia completed the tie with a straight-sets doubles victory.
It was a weekend of mixed results for the Asian teams, but there were important wins for Korea Republic, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Kazakhstan and Lebanon. Korea Republic’s journey will continue on the biggest stage in Bologna, where they will carry the hopes of Asian tennis among the final eight nations.
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