South Korea leads India 2-0 in Davis Cup; Shelton to play for US at Czech Republic

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South Korea's Hyeon Chung celebrates after winning against India's Sumit Nagal during a Davis Cup second round qualifier between South Korea and India, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

India's Sumit Nagal stands after missing a point against South Korea's Hyeon Chung during a Davis Cup second round qualifier tennis match between South Korea and India, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) — South Korea's Hyeon Chung celebrates after winning against India's Sumit Nagal during a Davis Cup second round qualifier between South Korea and India, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

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10:05 AM on Friday, September 18

By The Associated Press

South Korea moved within one victory of becoming the first Asian nation to reach the Davis Cup Final 8 after taking a 2-0 lead over India in the final qualifying round Friday.

The South Koreans came from a set down in both matches.

Kwon Soon-woo beat Dhakshineswar Suresh 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and then Hyeon Chung beat Sumit Nagal 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 at Seoul's Olympic tennis center.

Doubles and reverse singles are scheduled for Saturday in the best-of-five match series.

The winning teams advance to the finals in Bologna, Italy, in November.

The other matchups of teams competing for spots to join host and three-time defending champion Italy at the finals are: Chile vs. Spain; Germany vs. Croatia; Britain vs. Ecuador; Austria vs. Belgium; Czech Republic vs. United States; and Canada vs. France.

In the Czech-U.S. series later in Prague, Jakub Mensik was playing Learner Tien and Jiri Lehecka was to play U.S. Open finalist Ben Shelton.

The Final 8 format was introduced in 2022.

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