History in Adelaide: Lucky loser Kwon becomes first Korean to win multiple ATP singles titles

The Korean upset fourth seed Roberto Bautista Agut in three tight sets to win his second career singles title at the Adelaide International

Soonwoo Kwon at the 2022 Japan Open Tennis Championships Image Credit: AF / Panoramic

Tennis Majors

January 14, 2023

Lucky loser SoonWoo Kwon came from a break down in the final set to upset fourth seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut and win the ATP Adelaide International 2 trophy at Memorial Drive Tennis Centre on Saturday.

Kwon took two hours and 43 minutes to battle past the Spanish veteran 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (4) for his second career ATP singles title.

In the process, Kwon becomes the first Koren player to win multiple ATP singles title, breaking the tie he had with Hyung-Taik Lee, who won the Sydney title in 2003.

Kwon switched ON 🔥

The moment Soonwoo Kwon defeated Roberto Bautista Agut for the #AdelaideTennis title! pic.twitter.com/fcb8x82VGa
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 14, 2023

Kwon first lucky loser to win an ATP singles title since 2018

The 25-year-old Kwon is also the first lucky loser to reach, and then also win, the final in Adelaide and the first lucky loser to win an ATP singles title since Marco Cecchinato in Budapest in 2018.

Earlier in the week, Kwon, ranked No 84, beat Czech qualifier Tomas Machac (6-4, 6-4), Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta, the second seed (3-6, 6-4, 6-4), Swede qualifier Mikael Ymer (6-1, 6-2) and Jack Draper (7-6 (6), 6-7 (2), 6-3).

Meanwhile, Bautista Agut, ranked No 26 in the world, defeated Dutch lucky loser Robin Haase (6-3, 3-6, 6-3), No 7 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (6-3, 6-2) and Australian wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis (7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-3) in previous rounds.

Kwon will head to Melbourne full of confidence and will meet American wildcard Christopher Eubanks in his first round match at the Australian Open while Bautista Agut takes on Joao Sousa in his opening round.

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