Canada
This article was added by the user . TheWorldNews is not responsible for the content of the platform.

South Korea delight in stunning Davis Cup win over Belgium

(L-R) South Korea's tennis team captain Park Seung-kyu, players Song Min-kyu, Nam Ji-sung, Hong Seong-chan and Kwon Soon-woo pose for a photo during the official draw of the Davis Cup qualifiers first round between South Korea and Belgium in Seoul on February 3, 2023.
(L-R) South Korea's tennis team captain Park Seung-kyu, players Song Min-kyu, Nam Ji-sung, Hong Seong-chan and Kwon Soon-woo pose for a photo during the official draw of the Davis Cup qualifiers first round between South Korea and Belgium in Seoul on February 3, 2023. Photo by JUNG YEON-JE /AFP via Getty Images

South Korea captain Park Seung-kyu was left in a state of disbelief after his team overturned a 2-0 deficit to complete a famous 3-2 Davis Cup victory over Belgium on Sunday and reach the group stage of the men’s team tournament.

The doubles pair of Nam Ji-sung and Song Ming-kyu began the fightback as they battled past Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen 7-6(3) 7-6(5) before Kwon Soon-woo levelled the tie at 2-2 by getting past David Goffin 3-6 6-1 6-3.

From our newsroom to your inbox at noon, the latest headlines, stories, opinion and photos from the Toronto Sun.

By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails or any newsletter. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

World number 240 Hong Seong-chan then sealed the tie with a 6-3 7-6(4) win over Zizou Bergs in the deciding fifth rubber in Seoul. It was the first time they had come back from losing their opening two matches to prevail.

“I’m so grateful and proud of the players for not giving up and doing their best until the end,” Park said. “It’s so good that I don’t know how to express it.

“The players made history as a team with the coaching staff. It’s like a dream to advance to the finals for two consecutive years. I don’t know if this is real.”

South Korea’s tennis team captain Park Seung-kyu speaks during a pre-draw press conference of the Davis Cup qualifiers first round between South Korea and Belgium in Seoul on February 2, 2023. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)
South Korea’s tennis team captain Park Seung-kyu speaks during a pre-draw press conference of the Davis Cup qualifiers first round between South Korea and Belgium in Seoul on February 2, 2023. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)

Hong, who lost his opening singles match to Goffin after Kwon fell in the first rubber, said he set out to frustrate Bergs, who is ranked more than 120 places above him.

“As soon as I started, I thought it was working well,” Hong said. “The atmosphere was good before the game. Of course I was nervous, but I was also very excited. After the match point, I thought I showed it.”

A busy weekend of ties had 24 nations competing to reach the group stage to be held at four venues from Sept. 12-17, with 12 winners joining 2022 champions Canada, runners-up Australia and wildcards Spain and Italy.

Finland sealed their first berth in the group stage with a 3-1 win over 2016 champions Argentina. Croatia, Chile, Netherlands and Czech Republic also advanced on Sunday.

List of qualifiers

Canada

Australia

Italy

Spain

Chile

Croatia

Czech Republic

Finland

France

Britain

South Korea

Netherlands

Serbia

Sweden

Switzerland

United States