Tennis fans in Seoul were treated to a spectacle on Sunday as South Korea pulled off a remarkable turnaround, coming back from 0-2 down to defeat Belgium. By winning the doubles match and two singles bouts, the hosts successfully secured their spot in the 2023 Davis Cup qualifiers, achieving a feat—overturning such a lead—that had never happened before in the country's history in the event.
It was a sensational day of Tennis on Sunday in Seoul, South Korea tore apart Belgium’s 2-0 lead to secure a famous Davis Cup victory. The hosts produced an excellent performance to clinch the 2023 Davis Cup qualifiers, winning the doubles and both the singles matches. It is the first time the nation has overturned such a deficit in the history of the prestigious team event.
The hero of the day was World No. 237 Hong Seong-chan, who showcased impressive skill to take down Zizou Bergs 6-3, 7-6(4) in the high-stakes fifth rubber. Despite a significant ranking gap—with Bergs sitting 122 places above him—Hong surged to a 5-0 lead in the second-set tiebreak. While Bergs attempted a late comeback to bring the score to 4-5, Hong kept his nerves in check and closed out the match, delivering a pivotal win for South Korea.
After the match, Hong explained that his approach was to maximize his own strengths while trying to get under his opponent's skin, noting that this strategy worked effectively from the start. The 25-year-old admitted that while the pressure made him nervous, the excitement was overwhelming, and he credited the passionate local crowd for the amazing energy in the stadium.
The match went to a decider because Belgium's top player, David Goffin, couldn't close out his singles match against Kwon Soonwoo. In a gritty performance, the 25-year-old Kwon fought back from a set down to win 3-6, 6-1, 6-3, bringing the overall score level. Kwon's game was powered by 11 aces, though he admitted the first set was sloppy due to overthinking. He noted that he managed to find his rhythm and composure starting in the second set, which allowed him to secure the victory.
The momentum began shifting earlier in the day when Nam Ji-Sung and Song Ming-Kyu put South Korea on the board. The pair faced off against Belgium's Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen, applying intense pressure from the first serve. By dominating with powerful serves and aggressive play, the Korean duo clinched a tight victory with scores of 7-6(3), 7-6(5).
South Korean captain Seung-Kyu Park expressed immense pride and gratitude toward his team for their resilience and refusal to quit. He described the feeling of qualifying for the finals for the second year in a row as nothing short of a dream.