South Korea took an unbeatable 3-0 lead over Taiwan by winning a marathon five-set doubles rubber in the Asia-Oceania zone Group One first-round on Saturday.

Lim Yong-Kyu and Seol Jae-Min edged their higher-ranked opponents Liang-chi Huang and Chu-huan Yi 6-4 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 3-6 7-5 in a match that lasted more than four hours.

Only an hour before the crucial doubles began, Taiwan sent in Huang instead of earlier announced Tsung-hua Yang in an apparent bid to catch South Korea off guard.

But the hosts shed little sweat to win the two first sets amid partisan support from local fans.

Taiwan stormed back hard, picking up the following two sets, but unforced errors by Huang gave South Korea the final set and the match.