Davis Cup: Mukund, Ramkumar to spearhead India's challenge

Star tennis players Mukund Sasikumar and Ramkumar Ramanathan will lead India's challenge in the men's singles matches for their Davis Cup 2025 World Group I Playoffs tie against Togo, scheduled to be played at DLTA Complex on 1-2 February.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Mukund and Ramkumar, the team's highest-ranked singles players, will face Togo's Liova Ajavon and Thomas Setodji, respectively, on day one of the clash, before the order will be reversed for the second day, pitching Mukund against Setodji and Ramkumar against Ajavon in the final two rubbers.

Meanwhile, experienced men's doubles star N Sriram Balaji and rising sensation Rithvik Bollipalli will pair up to compete in the sole doubles tie of the clash on day two, squaring up against Setodji and Padio Isak.

The tie will follow the traditional Davis Cup format, with two singles matches on the opening day and a doubles match followed by the reverse singles on the second day. All matches will be played as best-of-three sets, promising fast-paced, high-stakes action. The winner of the tie will advance to World Group I while the losing team will compete in World Group II during the September 2025 window.