Summary Michael Venus rallied from a set down to win a marathon five setter.
WELLINGTON (AFP) – Michael Venus rallied from a set down to win a marathon five setter, helping New Zealand beat South Korea 3-2 to win their Asia/Oceania Group I tie in Auckland on Sunday.
After Kwon Soon Woo beat Jose Statham in straight sets in the first of the reverse singles to level the tie 2-2, the outcome rested on the final match between Venus and Hong Seong-Chan.
It turned into a three-hour epic with Venus taking the first set 6-3, Hong took the next two 3-6, 4-6, before the New Zealander fought back to claim the last two sets 6-2, 6-3.
The 3-2 win means New Zealand remain in group one while South Korea could drop to group two.
