THERE were a few early bumps in the road, but raging tournament favourite Roger Federer eventually stormed into the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
The 7-6(1) 6-3 6-4 win over 19th seed Tomas Berdych sets up a fascinating contest with 21-year-old South Korean sensation Hyeon Chung for a spot in the final.
Chung and Federer have never played each other. It will be Federer’s 14th semi-finals appearance at the Australian Open, while Chung is South Korea’s first grand slam semi-finalist.
Federer had a few early struggles against Berdych, being broken in his first service game and trailing 5-2 in the opening set.
Quarter Finals Complete B. Bryan (6) M. Bryan (6) 6 6 M. Matkowski (15) A. Qureshi (15) 1 4 Visit Match Centre Complete L. Chan (1) A. Sestini-Hlavackova (1) 4 6 6 6 T. Babos (5) K. Mladenovic (5) 6 0 7 8 Visit Match Centre Complete E. Svitolina (4) 4 0 E. Mertens 6 6 Visit Match Centre Complete L. Kubot (1) M. Melo (1) 4 7 7 6 5 B. McLachlan J. Struff 6 6 4 7 7 Visit Match Centre Complete I. Begu (10) M. Niculescu (10) 4 6 6 J. Brady V. King 6 2 0 Visit Match Centre Complete G. Dimitrov (3) 4 6 3 4 K. Edmund 6 3 6 6 Visit Match Centre Complete E. Makarova (2) E. Vesnina (2) 0 6 7 7 G. Dabrowski (6) Y. Xu (6) 6 1 6 2 Visit Match Centre Complete L. Safarova (4) B. Strycova (4) 1 4 S. Hsieh (8) S. Peng (8) 6 6 Visit Match Centre Complete R. Nadal (1) 6 3 7 7 2 0 M. Cilic (6) 3 6 6 5 6 2 Visit Match Centre Complete C. Wozniacki (2) 6 6 3 6 C. Suarez Navarro 0 7 7 2 Visit Match Centre Complete M. Keys (17) 1 2 A. Kerber (21) 6 6 Visit Match Centre Complete T. Sandgren 4 6 5 3 H. Chung 6 7 7 6 Visit Match Centre Complete O. Marach (7) M. Pavic (7) 6 6 10 7 7 M. Daniell D. Inglot 4 7 12 6 5 Visit Match Centre Complete S. Halep (1) 6 6 K. Pliskova (6) 3 2 Visit Match Centre Complete J. Cabal (11) R. Farah (11) 6 7 S. Groth L. Hewitt 4 5 Visit Match Centre Complete T. Babos (5) R. Bopanna (5) 6 7 7 A. Spears J. Cabal 4 6 5 Visit Match Centre Complete R. Federer (2) 7 7 6 6 T. Berdych (19) 6 1 3 4 Visit Match Centre S. Sanders M. Polmans M. Martinez Sanchez M. Demoliner Visit Match Centre E. Makarova (3) B. Soares (3) A. Sestini-Hlavackova (6) E. Roger-Vasselin (6) Visit Match Centre G. Dabrowski (8) M. Pavic (8) J. Larsson M. Middelkoop Visit Match Centre
Federer's challenge drama 1:01
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Berdych served for the first set at 5-3 and then on his fourth break point, Federer broke back. However he was left frustrated during the game by a failed challenge.
Hawkeye was down, meaning the moment could not be shown, and instead chair umpire Fergus Murphy simply informed Federer he was wrong.
Federer then went up to Murphy questioning whether he should lose a challenge and asking, “are you OK with this?”
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The second and third sets proved much simpler, with Berdych requiring off-court medical examination in between them and never looking like getting back into the match.
Chung made his way through to the semi-finals after downing fellow tournament surprise packet Tennys Sandgren 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in the quarter-finals earlier in the day.
At 21 years 254 days, Hyeon Chung becomes the youngest man to reach the semi-finals at a Grand
Slam since Marin Cilic (21 years 125 days) reached the last-four at #AusOpen in 2010. — Nikhila (@kokudum) January 24, 2018
Hyeon Chung is the lowest ranked #AusOpen semifinalist since Marat Safin, in 2004.
Chung is 58th, Marat was 86th. — José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 24, 2018
The 58th-ranked Chung and American No.97 Sandgren had exceeded all expectations with their runs to the quarters, knocking out top names along the way, including Stan Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic.
The pair endured a nervy start to the biggest match of their lives when an evacuation alarm sounded around Rod Laver Arena just as play was about to begin (watch in the video player below).
False alarm evacuates Open 0:59
Players, fans and officials stood confused for several minutes before it was confirmed the siren had sounded mistakenly.
Evacuation alarm on Rod Laver Arena at the Chung-Sandgren QF was about to start.
Thankfully, like other matters involving Americans and Koreans of late, a false alarm. And long may they continue to be so. — Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) January 24, 2018
There was more drama right as play began with American superstar Serena Williams launching a sensational public snub of her countryman Sandgren.
Sandgren’s political views have come under scrutiny during his unlikely run to the finals and Williams clearly isn’t a fan. READ MORE HERE.
Turns channel — Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) January 24, 2018
In a tense 11-minute final game Chung claimed victory on his sixth match point after Sandgren threw everything at the South Korean in a bid to stay in the match.
“In the last game at 40-0 up I was thinking what I had to do at the ceremony, something like that, and after the break points I was like, nothing to do with ceremony, but just keep playing, stay focused,” Chung said on court in his limited English.
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In the women’s draw, former champion Angelique Kerber blasted her way into the Australian Open semi-finals with a straight sets demolition of American Madison Keys.
German 21st seed Kerber needed just 51 minutes to win 6-1 6-2 and move a step closer to adding a second title to her 2016 triumph in Melbourne.
She’ll next play world No.1 Simona Halep who downed Czech sixth seed Karolina Pliskova 6-3 6-2. Romanian Halep is chasing a first major title.
Meanwhile, the dream run through the doubles of Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth has ended in the quarter-finals.
The Aussie pair, in their final Australian Open, fell to 11th-seeded Colombian pair Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 6-4 6-4.
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Clinical Kerber crushes Keys 0:53
ORDER OF PLAY
Rod Laver Arena (from 11am AEDT)
21-Angelique Kerber (GER) def 17-Madison Keys (USA) 6-1 6-2
Hyeon Chung (KOR) def Tennys Sandgren (USA) 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-3
1-Simona Halep (ROU) def 6-Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 6-3 6-2
2-Roger Federer (SUI) def 19-Tomas Berdych (CZE) 7-6(1) 6-3 6-4
Margaret Court Arena (from 1pm AEDT)
5-Timea Babos (HUN)/Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) def 8-Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE)/Shuai Peng (CHN) 6-4 6-2
7-Oliver Marach (AUT)/Mate Pavic (CRO) def Marcus Daniell (NZL)/Dominic Inglot (GBR) 6-4 6-7(10) 7-6(5)
11-Juan Sebastian Cabal (COL)/Robert Farah (COL) def Sam Groth (AUS)/Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 6-4 6-4
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Australian Open: Roger Federer asks the chair umpire if he is comfortable with removing one of his challenges, after the World Number 2 tries to review a call the hawkeye couldn't provide
BE AFRAID Hyeon Chung, be very afraid.
Roger Federer is in ridiculously good form going into another Australian Open semi-final, and he won’t be keen on letting a crowd favourite get in his way of a 20th grand slam title.
The Swiss maestro capped off another night of scintillating tennis with a win over 19th seed Tomas Berdych in three sets, continuing his miracle run of straight-set victories for the Open.
21-year-old Chung became the first Korean in history to advance to a semi-final, but the Novak Djokovic clone will need to bring all he’s shown his year and more to the table if he wants to upset the GOAT.
Earlier in the day, Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth departed the Open in a straight sets loss to Columbians Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 6-4 7-5.
ROD LAVER ARENA
11am
(21) Angelique Kerber (GER) defeated (17) Madison Keys (USA) 6-1 6-2
Hyeon Chung (KOR) defeated Tennys Sandgren (USA) 6-4 7-6 6-3
(1) Simona Halep (ROU) defeated (6) Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 6-3 6-2
7.30pm
(2) Roger Federer (SUI) defeated (19) Tomas Berdych (CZE) 7-6 6-3 6-4
MARGARET COURT ARENA
1pm
(5) Timea Babos (HUN)/Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) defeated (8) Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE)/Shuai Peng (CHN) 6-4 6-2
Marcus Daniell (NZL)/Dominic Inglot (GBR) v (7) Oliver Marach (AUT)/Mate Pavic (CRO)
(11) Juan Sebastian Cabal (COL)/Robert Farah (COL) defeated Sam Groth (AUS)/Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 6-4 7-5
Freakish Fed does it in three Tomas Berdych didn’t play badly — Roger Federer just played brilliantly. The Swiss maestro advanced through to the Australian Open semi final for the fourth time without dropping a set. He took down his Czech opponent 7-6 6-3 6-4 in another clinical display on Rod Laver Arena, progressing to a semi final date with Hyeon Chung on Friday. In a typically class interview with Jim Courier, Federer sent injured rival Rafael Nadal a message before making a painful admission about the Spaniard. Courier turned the post-match chat into an analysis of the World No. 2’s clothing choices. “We saw your great rival Rafa come out in sleeveless once again. When are you going sleeveless? When is that going to happen?” he asked. “That’s not going to happen,” Federer replied. “Because, you know why. My arms are not like his arms.” The 36-year-old said he dropped the World No. 1 a word after his heartbreaking retirement in Tuesday night’s quarterfinal against Maric Cilic. “It’s hard to watch, you know. Someone go out in five sets and not being able to finish,” he said. “At least you know if somebody finishes and he loses all credit to the other guy. Still I think Marin deserves an amazing amount of credit because he hung around and he fought really, really hard. “At this point I wrote Rafa late last night before I went to bed. Last thing I did. I said I have to write Rafa see how he’s doing. I hope he was going to be OK with the scan today. I’m hoping the news was not terrible. It was not nice to see a fellow rival and friend like this go out. Wish him well.” Share
Federer shuts down Berdych Whatever Roger Federer had wrong in the first half hour, he’s fixed it, fast. The Swiss maestro took over the match in the second set, sending Tomas Berdych reeling 6-3 and had fans prepared for an early night as he broke the Czech star early in the third. The 36-year-old showcased his superior defence in his demolition of Berdych in the second. “Berdych is not playing a poor match,” Jim Courier observed. “What’s happening this is a function of the better defence of Federer. He’s able to extend rallies, use his versatility to get Berdych out of position and then finish points.” The feeling of Groundhog Day hit Berdych hard midway through the 2nd set. Everything he tried, Federer had an answer. At 2 sets down, another exit in a Grand Slam QF beckons. Apart from a spell late in the 1st set, Federer hasn't needed to be at his absolute best #AusOpen — Uche Amako (@UcheAmako) January 24, 2018 8 pm ‘Insane’ Fed bounces back after shaky start With the news of Rafael Nadal exiting the Australian Open, most assumed Roger Federer would breeze through to his 20th major with 19th seed Tomas Berdych the next ranked man left in the men’s draw. But the Czech star isn’t keen on making it easy for him. Berdych got the early break over Federer in their first set of their quarterfinal clash as the Swiss World No. 2 gingerly warmed into the match. After a shocking start which saw him down 2-5, Federer bounced back to take the first set in a crucial tiebreak, making it clear to Berdych he won’t drop a set this tournament so easily. Yes. Roger Federer is super human! He was 5-2 down in the first. He fought back to 6-6 and leads the tiebreak 6-1!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 @DStv_Ghana #ss2 insane scenes — B.Otoo (@Bridget_Otoo) January 24, 2018 Share
Hewitt, Groth bow out of Open Sam #Groth bids farewell to Melbourne Park after he and Lleyton #Hewitt go down to Juan Sebastian #Cabal and Robert #Farah 6-4 7-5
Congratulations to @SamGrothTennis on a wonderful career! 👏#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ssHmuRTb1X — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2018 Aussie veterans Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth dropped their first set in their men’s doubles quarterfinal clash against Juan Sebastian and Cabal Robert Farah. The pair fell 6-4 in the first but bounced back in the second frame, breaking the Columbian duo’s serve to have an opportunity to serve for the set — but their semi finals berth wasn’t to be as Farah and Cabal broke back and sent the Aussies spiralling 6-4 7-5. Hewitt and Groth shared a teary moment in their final post-match interview, at Melbourne Park. “We had a great tournament, we didn’t come into it with a lot of expectations, but we had a great week and a half,” Hewitt said. Share
Halep slides into semis Simona Halep has booked a semi-final date with Angelique Kerber after rocking Karolina Pliskova in straight sets 6-3 6-2. The World No. 1 overcame a questionable start to defeat the sixth seeded star in their to quarterfinal clash on Rod Laver Arena. Halep dropped the first three games to her opponent but bounced back to win 12 of the final 14 games in the 1 hour 11 minute clash. Share
False alarm An evacuation alarm rang out around Rod Laver Arena just as Tennys Sandgren’s quarter-final against Hyeon Chung was about to start, causing confusion at the stadium. The umpire was on the case, trying to find out what the alarm meant, while some in the stands reportedly left their seats upon hearing the PA system telling them to evacuate. “Everyone is stunned, they don’t quite know where to go,” John Fitzgerald said in commentary. *Evacuate, Evacuate, Evacuate*
"Ladies and Gentlemen we are just finding out what that message meant" 😂
Well that was one way to start the game 😝#ausopen #7Tennis pic.twitter.com/LALMMrGj8k — #7TENNIS 🎾 (@7tennis) January 24, 2018 Evacuation alarm on Rod Laver Arena just as Chung vs Sandgren was about to start. Confusion. Umpire James Keothavong: "We're just finding out from internal office what that message meant." #AusOpen — Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) January 24, 2018 False alarm. Some people understandably got up from their seats and left. #AusOpen — Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) January 24, 2018 Share
Agassi haunted, raises conspiracy Andre Agassi has revealed what haunts him most from his playing days and opened up on a tennis conspiracy. The eight-time grand slam champion spoke to Dean Thomas from Nova 100’s Chrissie, Sam and Browny where he elaborated on his rivalry with Pete Sampras, who won 14 majors, when asked if he’d done anything on court he was particularly “ashamed” of. Andre Agassi: I have done a lot of things on court that I’m not proud of. Every time I lost to Pete (haunts me). That’s doing something on the court I’m not proud of. Dean Thomas: For a small, fat kid in Australia watching you and Pete play in the 90s, this is my take on it — you were the cool guy and Pete was the kid in class that had to be right, had to get the straight As, a bit uptight. What’s your take on that decade? AA: My take is, I somehow always ended up in the principal’s office and he ended up with straight As. Whatever the reason was, he ended up doing better than me. Dean: Those two lifestyles — one’s a lot more fun than the other one. AA: The word fun is relative. Agassi also spoke about Hawkeye, saying he doesn’t trust it to get every call right. “I have suspected Hawkeye of being consistently wrong, so if it’s wrong, it’s going to be wrong for you, it’s going to be wrong for me,” he said. “Personally I’m kind of a conspiracy kind of guy, so I’m going every time it calls something that’s wrong but it’s fairly wrong to both players.” Share
‘Crazy’ choices in Open implosion A flawless Angelique Kerber looks on target for an Australian Open final berth after demolishing Madison Keys in straight sets 6-1 6-2. The German was unstoppable in her 51 minute quarter-final romp over the 17th seed, who imploded in the worst fashion imaginable. Keys went from not having dropped a set all tournament to being handed a tennis lesson in less than an hour. It was a dramatic fall from grace. “I was just trying from the beginning to play like I played the whole week just playing my game and enjoying playing on Rod Laver,” Kerber said. “I really enjoy my tennis right now, I’m enjoying being on court, I’m enjoying you guys (the crowd). “I’m getting old so I have to be aggressive, I cannot run after every ball, I had to change something.” Wow Kerber ! 🔥🔥🔥 — Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) January 24, 2018 Angie Kerber defeats Keys 6-1 6-2 to reach the Australian Open semis. An absolute killing. — Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) January 24, 2018 Well, my Madison Keys prediction just got blown out of the water #ausopen pic.twitter.com/Wew28Gkxgf — Casey Conway (@caseyconway_) January 24, 2018 Kerber was unstoppable in the opening set, hitting winners at will while the American made 11 unforced errors. Former Aussie tennis star Rennae Stubbs blasted Keys’ lack of variety in her service games, saying she was wasting her biggest weapon by always serving to Kerber’s backhand. “Hello, no wonder she (Kerber) is guessing where it (Keys’ serve) is going,” Stubbs said in commentary for Channel Seven. “She hasn’t hit one to the forehand. “Every single serve has gone to the same spot and when you have the biggest serve in the tournament and you are not mixing the direction of where you are serving — that is just crazy. “The greatest thing in the world when you have a big serve is to go from corner to corner, mix it up, make your opponents guess.” By making the semi-finals, Kerber will leave Melbourne as a top-10 ranked player after starting as the No. 21 seed. Tough to watch Madison Keys implode like this again. Such a talented ball striker playing so far below her potential in the early stages of this match — Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) January 24, 2018 Share
Seven star outed as a ‘joke stealer’ Oh, Nathan, you had us all fooled! Yesterday Channel Seven’s man on the ground at Melbourne Park Nathan Templeton delivered what we thought was a contender for one-liner for the tournament when discussing Hyeon Chung’s upset win over Novak Djokovic in the fourth round. “Just quickly on Chung, while he has become a bit of a star he’s not the best player on the Korean peninsula,” Templeton told Garry Lyon and Tim Watson on SEN radio. “Apparently Kim Jong-un beat him 6-0 6-0.” Gold, right? Well, maybe not gold, but still pretty funny (at least we thought so). But the backslapping for the well executed joke didn’t last long for Templeton as he spoke to Lyon and Watson again on Wednesday morning, where they outed him for an act of plagiarism that forced him to come clean. Garry Lyon: Nathan Templeton joins us at the Aussie Open and caused an international incident with one of his zingers yesterday I’m told. Tim Watson: Just explain what happened yesterday, Nathan. Nathan Templeton: Are you talking about my magnificent joke? TW: One of the funniest jokes I’ve ever heard on radio. NT: I’ve got to make a full declaration. I may have just scanned Twitter before I came on air yesterday and stolen my gag from a guy called Mitch Jones 1981 so Mitch, I apologise, the royalties are coming your way ... It was stolen off Twitter the joke about Hyeon Chung not being the best player in the Korean region and that Kim Jong-un had defeated him in straight sets. Someone in the Twittersphere alerted Jones to Templeton’s wisecrack and he was clearly a bit cut up about it. Must be hard for Chung knowing that even if he beats Djokovic he's the 2nd best player on the Korean Peninsula. Kim Jong Un still undefeated — MJones (@mitchjones1981) January 22, 2018 But not surprising from Ch7. Did they then cut away to roaming African gangs outside Rod Laver Arena? — MJones (@mitchjones1981) January 22, 2018 pic.twitter.com/spELLL9H46 — MJones (@mitchjones1981) January 22, 2018 But being the good bloke he is, Templeton set about making things right. He got in touch with Jones and alerted him once he’d gone on the airwaves to publicly admit his devious act. Balance in the universe is now restored 🙏 — MJones (@mitchjones1981) January 23, 2018 Share
Kyrgios’ tennis IQ is ‘off the charts’ Few doubt Nick Kyrgios has the talent to win a grand slam but his mental approach has always been a question mark. He went some way towards converting the naysayers with a more mature display at this year’s Australian Open. He refused to lose focus despite several off-court distractions in his second round win over Viktor Troicki, overcame a disappointing second set to bounce back against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and pushed World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov to four sets — three of them tiebreaks. Despite his career being littered with notable temper tantrums, Kyrgios may have much more between the ears than Australia realises. Renowned Aussie tennis coach Darren Cahill — who coaches women’s World No. 1 Simona Halep and has also mentored Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi — says the 22-year-old’s tennis IQ is next level. Knowing how to structure points, what shot to play to which ball and how to dictate an opponent on the court are all aspects that may not be noticeable to the casual observer watching on TV, but Gilbert says the young Aussie has smarts where it counts. Kyrgios doesn’t have an official coach but perhaps his own tennis intelligence is enough with the guidance of some key figures around him. “He’s had a good 12 months. He’s grown up a lot in the last 12 months,” Gilbert told Sportsday SA on FiveAA radio. “Being around Lleyton Hewitt has helped him a ton. Coming back and being a part of that Davis Cup team — he’s embraced what it’s like to be an Australian athlete and play for a team. “He says he doesn’t have a coach but he’s got a bit of help now. He’s got Jason Stoltenberg, he’s got Lleyton — both those guys are good with tennis and Nick already has a tennis IQ that is off the charts and he very rarely plays the wrong shot. “But he’s also worked a lot harder off the court which is going to be the most important thing for him moving forward. He’s a big, strong athlete and he’s very fast but he has to look after his body because that’s what’s going to give him longevity and success in his career.” It’s very obvious how you must play tennis matches in extreme heat , understand how 2 manage the points you play & their structure. — roger rasheed (@roger_rasheed) January 19, 2018 Share
Tennis: South Korean sensation Hyeon Chung's dream Aus Open run is set to continue after he downed American Tennys Sandgren in straight sets.
EACH year during the Australian Open one player comes out of the wilderness to capture the imagination of the nation.
Last year it was German Mischa Zverev, then ranked number 50 in the world, who advanced to the quarterfinals before running into the Swiss Master Roger Federer.
In 2015, it was hometown favourite Nick Kyrgios who made it all the way to the same stage before he to fell at the hands of Federer.
The two biggest and most captivating Australian Open runs however were in 2006 and 2008.
Frenchman Jo-Wilfred Tsonga started the 2008 season as the 38th ranked man on tour, but toppled three top 10 seeds on his way to the final.
Cypriot Marcus Baghdatis had the entire nation eating out of the palm of his hand when he burst onto the scene way back in 2006.
His miracle run all the way to the final saw him become a local hero at Melbourne Park, a legend status that still exists to this day.
This year’s Open is no different.
Hyeon Chung has quickly become an icon during his unprecedented run that sees him become the lowest ranked player to go this deep into an Australian Open since Marat Safin in 2004.
Safin marched into the Final despite being number 86 in the rankings; Chung currently sits at number 58 on the rankings board.
The must-see interview of the #AusOpen.
What a day for Hyeon Chung. pic.twitter.com/3KL9qAmGfQ — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2018
Chung’s impressive run has seen him beat a seeded opponent in three out of his five games with his most notable victory coming against six time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, whom he dispatched comfortably in straight sets.
Prior to the Slam getting underway, Chung was listed at the ludicrous odds of $251 to take home the crown, but he has now shortened all the way into $6.50.
The ultra-impressive feat makes him the first Korean player to reach a Grand Slam semi-final.
Baghdatis’ rise to fame came behind his heart on a sleeve attitude, with Chung however he rarely shows an emotional side on the court.
He keeps a level head when his opponent has momentum and doesn’t let out any gut churning come on’s, Lleyton Hewitt style, when he claims a key point.
He rocks white glasses, a necessity, that look like they’ve come straight from the 1980 NBA scene.
In short, he’s as cool as the flip side of the pillow.
i have a new favourite #AusOpen player and it is Chung Hyeon and his glasses pic.twitter.com/60dbwyU0jS — Naaman Zhou (@naamanzhou) January 22, 2018
I have never seen my tennis twitter feed so universally, unhesitatingly, unequivocally thrilled at any win ever. Hyeon Chung made everybody happy. 🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷
I’m here for all of it. #AusOpen 🎾🎾🎾 — Dawn Rhodes (@rhodes_dawn) January 24, 2018
Hyeon Chung - what a BOSS 🙌🏻
He'll be up against Federer or Berdych in the semis & he's ranked 58 - amazing 🤗 — Blavatsky's Brassiere (@nunwithgun) January 24, 2018
With his ranking set to drop all the way to at least number 29 after the Open, Chung is set to reel in more prizemoney from this Slam than he has in his entire Grand Slam career.
Not including this year, Chung had competed in seven previous Grand Slam’s with his best result being a third round loss during the 2017 French Open.
From those seven Slams, he has made a total amount of $477,499.
His run during the Australian Open will net him a minimum of $880,000. A figure that is also more than half of his career earnings.
While he will face off against either Federer or Tomas Berdych, the hugely anticipated meeting isn’t fazing the easy going Chung.
“Whoever win, I’m playing. I don’t care,” Chung said.
No matter what happens in his semi-final encounter, the legend of Hyeon Chung will live on at Melbourne Park for years to come.
Chung admitted previous wins over world No.4 Alexander Zverev and six-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic to reach the last eight would likely have sparked an interest in the sport he ranked as a distant fifth in popularity back in his native South Korea.
“I think all the people is watching Australian Open now because we make history in Korea,” Chung said before he admitted he would not go quite so unnoticed back home after this Australian Open. “I think sure, yeah. Getting better and better all the time now.”
Nicknamed ‘The Professor’ for his white-framed glasses, the 21-year-old did not suffer the mental letdown after beating his childhood idol Djokovic on Monday night.
His latest result breaks huge new ground for the nation of 51 million people.
