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 when they were trailing 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 trailing 1-5 and then lost 3-6 in the second set. However, the number one Vietnamese tennis player still showed his mettle when he defeated his opponent, number 416 in the world, 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 leveled 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, making Vietnam 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 two-time Grand Slam finalist Kevin Anderson. However, the African representative was still rated higher than Vietnam, with a balanced force. Ly Hoang Nam alone was not enough for Vietnam to create a surprise on home ground.

Having been eliminated from 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, seeking 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 loser of the World Group I play-off round taking place in September 2024.

Vy Anh

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