Sumit Nagal register first win as India lead 2-0 against Pakistan in Davis Cup

Indian tennis players posed a formidable challenge against Pakistan on Day 1 of the Davis Cup tie on Friday at Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan. India's young tennis sensation Sumit Nagal dominated the challenge as he defeated Pakistan's 17-year-old opponent Huzaifa Abdul Rehman in straight sets 6-0, 6-2.

Earlier, Ramkumar Ramanathan beat Muhammad Shoaib and clinched a double bagel 6-0, 6-0 to give India a winning start to the day.

India, with players with experience like Sumit Nagal, Ramkumar Ramanathan and veteran Leander Paes, was expected to win but with Pakistan top players Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan pulling out, India is expected to face hardly any contest.

While the Indian players have Grand Slam experience behind them, the Pakistanis are still struggling to make a mark even at the ITF Futures level. At least, the doubles rubber would have been competitive if Pakistan's top players were there but they chose not to play, protesting against shifting of the tie. It will be a learning experience for Pakistan's junior players, who will lead their country's challenge in the tie, the winner of which will travel to Croatia in March 2020 for the World Group Qualifiers.

The tie is being played on indoor hard courts due to sub-zero temperatures. On the second day of the tie on Saturday, Paes and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan will take on the combination of Shoaib and Huzaifa before the reverse singles are played. Even if India take an unassailable 3-0 lead, the fourth rubber will be played. The teams have a choice of not playing the inconsequential fifth rubber.