‘It’s going to be a very close tie,’ says Netherlands’ Sander Arends ahead of Davis Cup Round 1 Qualifiers

Bengaluru, 4 February 2026: The Netherlands have arrived in Bengaluru aiming to take another step forward in their recent Davis Cup resurgence, as they prepare to face India in the Round 1 Qualifiers on 7–8 February at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium. 

The Netherlands, currently ranked sixth in the world, will be led by captain Paul Haarhuis, a former World No. 1 doubles player and Grand Slam champion. The visiting squad for the tie includes Jesper de Jong, Guy den Ouden, Max Houkes, David Pel and Sander Arends.

Arriving a day ahead of the rest of the team, Guy den Ouden and Sander Arends were the first to take to the courts in Bengaluru, beginning their preparations for what promises to be a closely contested encounter. 

“I’ve visited India before, in Pune, and it’s a great feeling to be back for such an important Davis Cup tie. We’ve seen the stadium and the facilities, and we’re ready to give our best. In the end, what you can always control is your energy. You have the court, the opponent and the conditions, but if you play with intensity and heart, then we’ll see where we stand by the end of the weekend,” said den Ouden, who rose to prominence in 2020 after reaching the boys’ singles semifinals at the French Open.

Arends, an experienced doubles specialist, echoed those sentiments saying, “Playing for your country is always special. The matches are individual, but there’s a strong team aspect. The vibe, the energy and the pressure are all different from regular tour events. In Davis Cup ties, anything can happen, and rankings don’t always tell the full story.”

Arends reached a career-high ATP doubles ranking of World No. 23 in 2025 and has won multiple ATP titles, making him a key figure in a format where the doubles rubber can often prove decisive. Despite the absence of their top two singles players, who have opted to focus on the Rotterdam Open, Arends believes the Dutch team remains well equipped, fresh off a historic run to the Davis Cup Final in 2024.

“I think it’s going to be a very close tie, even though on paper we might be considered favourites, we’re here with five very strong players, ready to perform against a very good Indian team,” he added.

Standing in their way is a confident Indian side that qualified for this tie after a 3–1 away win over Switzerland last year. India and the Netherlands have faced each other four times in Davis Cup history, with the head-to-head record evenly poised at 2–2. Their most recent meeting came in 2003, when the Netherlands secured a 5–0 home victory.

With preparations well underway and both camps in high spirits, the stage is set for an exciting Davis Cup weekend in Bengaluru.

Tickets for the tie are now live on Ticketgenie:
https://ticketgenie.in/ticket/Davis-Cup-Qualifiers-2026