Davis Cup | An even contest in the offing on the hard-courts of Seoul

India is not an elite tennis nation. Yet, it is among the elite 15 still remaining in this year’s Davis Cup, a position it last attained in 2011 as part of the 16-team World Group in the erstwhile Cup format.

Starting Friday, India will attempt to soar higher when it takes on South Korea in round two of the Davis Cup Qualifiers. At stake in Seoul is a place in the Finals, an ultra-elite grouping of eight nations including defending champion Italy.

“It’s a mix of pressure and motivation,” India No. 1 Sumit Nagal told The Hindu from Seoul. “There is always pressure when you play for the country. There is motivation as well because we have never been in this situation. We are going to put our hearts into it.”