Kwon Soon-woo returns a shot during the men's singles second round at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships in July. [AFP]
Kwon Soon-woo returns a shot during the men's singles second round at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships in July. [AFP]

Kwon Soon-woo (world No. 157, South Chungcheong Province Athletic Association) has again made history for South Korean men's tennis. Led by his performances, South Korea will compete in the Davis Cup Finals quarterfinals for the first time.

South Korea defeated India 3-1 in the second round of the 2026 Davis Cup Finals qualifying on Saturday at the Olympic Park Tennis Center in Seoul.

After winning both singles matches on Friday and losing the doubles opener on Saturday, South Korea sealed the tie when Kwon dispatched Sumit Nagal (No. 247) 6-1, 6-2 in the fourth rubber.

The win carries enormous significance for South Korean tennis. Since first entering the Davis Cup in 1960, the country had never reached the Finals quarterfinals — making Saturday's result the first such appearance in 66 years. South Korea also became the earliest team to secure a Finals spot, ahead of all other qualifiers except host nation Italy, whose Finals will be held in Bologna in November.

Kwon was at the heart of the triumph. He won the opening singles rubber on Friday and delivered again in the fourth rubber on Saturday, personally accounting for both of South Korea's singles victories. Across two days, he came through in the most critical moments to carry his country into the Finals.

There had been concern heading into Saturday's match after Kwon suffered cramps in his right leg on Friday. But once on court, he attacked Nagal relentlessly from the opening games, giving his opponent no time to settle.

Kwon wrapped up the contest in one hour and eight minutes, confirming South Korea's place in the quarterfinals.

When Nagal's final shot sailed wide, Kwon dropped to the court and lay there savoring the moment. His teammates sprinted over to embrace him, and the South Korean squad celebrated together the country's first-ever Davis Cup Finals quarterfinal berth.


balme@heraldcorp.com