The Netherlands booked their place in the Davis Cup World Group for next season when they completed a 3-2 win over South Korea in their play-off on Sunday. Thiemo De Bakker secured the vital last point beating Jun Woong-sun 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 after experienced Lee Hyung-Taik had defeated Jesse Huta Galung 1-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 to pull the Koreans level at 2-2.
The win marked a return to the elite World Group for the Dutch after a two-year absence and was achieved even though they were missing their top singles player Robin Haase, the world number 94.
Lee had defeated De Bakker 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in Friday's opening singles before Huta-Galung, the world 181, saw off Im Kyu-Tae 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2. Peter Wessels and Huta Galung then teamed up on Saturday to win the doubles rubber with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 win over Jun and Lee. South Korea will play in the Asia/Oceania zone for 2009.