Ly Hoang Nam could not save Vietnam at Davis Cup

Bac Ninh Tennis player Ly Hoang Nam won both singles matches, but Vietnam still lost 2-3 to South Africa in the 2024 Davis Cup Group II promotion play-off.

Leading the Vietnamese tennis team in the Davis Cup World Group II play-off, Ly Hoang Nam defeated world No. 748 Philip Henning 6-3, 6-4. Vietnam then lost two consecutive matches when Trinh Linh Giang lost to Kris Van Wyk, while the pair Hoang Nam/Van Phuong lost 6-4, 1-6, 4-6 to Philip Henning/Christiaan Worst in the first match of the second day.

In the best-of-five format, Vietnam had to win the remaining two matches after being down 1-2. Hoang Nam, ranked 554 in the world, beat Kris Van Wyk 6-4 in the first set. His physical strength was reduced after the doubles match, Hoang Nam was down 1-5 and then lost 3-6 in the second set. However, Vietnam's number one tennis player still showed his mettle when he defeated his opponent, world number 416, with the final score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

Hoang Nam (right) and Van Wyk after the match at Hanaka Bac Ninh Stadium, February 3. Photo: VTF — Hoang Nam (right) and Van Wyk after the match at Hanaka Bac Ninh Stadium, February 3. Photo: *VTF*

Thanks to Hoang Nam's singles wins, the Vietnamese tennis team equalized the score 2-2 against South Africa and brought the play-off match to a decisive singles match. In the fifth match, Trinh Linh Giang lost quickly 2-6, 2-6 to Philip Henning, causing Vietnam to lose 2-3 overall.

South Africa did not bring the strongest force to Vietnam when it was without world number 168 Lloyd Harris and veteran Kevin Anderson, who had reached the Grand Slam final twice. However, the African representative was still rated higher than Vietnam, with an even force. Ly Hoang Nam alone was not enough for Vietnam to create a surprise on home ground.

Having been eliminated in the play-off round for two consecutive years with a 2-3 defeat, the Vietnam Davis Cup team will continue to compete in Group III of the Asia-Pacific region this year, looking for a chance to participate in the promotion play-off match taking place next year. South Africa (ranked 58th in the world) will play in the Group II play-off match, meeting the losing team in the World Group I play-off round taking place in September 2024.

Vy Anh

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