South Korea claimed the men's team title at the 15th Asian Games tennis tournament following a rain- interrupted final in Doha on Friday.
South Korea, who shrugged off some raining moments amid the clash, demonstrated their consistency to beat the defending champions Japan 2-1.
It was the third time for the South Koreans to win the team title at the Asian Games after they crowned in Seoul Games in 1986 and Bangkok Games in 1998.
The Japanese started strongly as Japan's veteran Takao Suzuki aced through South Korea's Chung Hee Seok 2-1 in the first singles match, belting 13 aces against none for the South Korean.
Both 30 years old and having played in the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, the two battled for one hour and 45 minutes before Takao Suzuki destroyed Chung Hee Seok 6-0, 3-6, 6-3.
"I knew it was not normal for both of us (in the first set)," said Suzuki, who converted three breaking points to take the opening set at love. "But when the second set started, I knew we had to start the fight. I was nervous, but I served well. My serve is my weapon, so I think it was really good.
"It's been raining since yesterday, but the weather is the same for each team. I was careful when I stepped on the court because it was a little wet."
With one match down, South Korean tennis ace Lee Hyung Taik, who toppled Thai Paradorn Srichaphan to become the Asian number one this November, evened the score by stamping his authority in the second singles match after beating Japan's rising star Go Soeda 6-3, 7-6 comfortably.
Although the 22-year-old Japanese had 30 additional minutes to refresh his mind in the second set when the match was stopped by a rain break, he still conceded the nail-biting set and the whole match after losing the tie break at 8-6.
"I should have been more calm, and I should have a better balance between my fighting spirit and calmness. I think my fighting spirit was too much, because the crowd was really exciting today," said Soeda, who is currently ranked 180th in the world and the top one in Japan.
While a never-say-die Lee, who chalked up one gold and four silver Asian Games medals before coming into Doha, had gleaned courage and fighting morale from his national glory.
"I was representing my team today, I really didn't want to lose. I've experience of fighting against Soeda before. So I was confident that if I did not give up, I would win," said Lee, who will be 31 next January.
Lee then held on to partner 20-year-old compatriot Jun Woong Sun to beat Japan's Takao Suzuki/Satoshi Iwabuchi in the doubles match 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.