Roger Federer will meet Marin Cilic in the final of the Australian Open after the unseeded Korean retired in the second set of a one-sided semi-final
Australian Open 2018 Federer to face Cilic in Australian Open final after blisters force Chung to retire • South Korea’s Hyeon Chung retires while trailing 6–1, 5–2
• Roger Federer will play his 30th grand slam final on Sunday Play Video 1:20 Federer through to Australian Open final as Chung retires – video highlights
Roger Federer literally and figuratively ran Hyeon Chung off his feet on his way to a record seventh Australian Open final on Friday, the young South Korean forced to retire in the second set with blisters that burst under the constant twisting and turning he was forced into for just over an hour.
On Sunday Federer plays Marin Cilic in the final and the Croatian will have painful memories of his own blistered feet that reduced him to a hobbling target when the Swiss wiped him off the court in the final at Wimbledon last year. That delivered Federer an improbable 19th major and he will start favourite to take his tally to 20, four clear of Rafael Nadal, unless Cilic can reproduce some of the firepower he showed in beating Kyle Edmund in three sets in the first semi-final.
Kyle Edmund loses in straight sets to Marin Cilic in Australian Open semis Read more
Federer, nearly 15 years older than Chung at 36, was 6-1, 5-2 up in their one‑sided semi-final when the world No 58 shocked the 15,000 fans sweltering under the roof of the Rod Laver Arena by signalling his retirement.
There were a few whistles of derision among the largely sympathetic response of the crowd, who wanted a battle and got only a skirmish.
“I thought the first set was kind of normal,” Federer said courtside afterwards. “In the second set I felt he was getting a bit slower. I know he has had problems with blisters for a while. I’ve played with them and they hurt a lot. It’s better to stop.”
Of reaching his 30th grand slam final, he said, “It’s bittersweet. I’m happy to be in the final, but not like this. He’s had a remarkable tournament. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him but I think he’s going to be a great, great player.”
Did he imagine a year ago, when he surprised everyone by winning the title, that he would be in the final again? “I wouldn’t be thinking this way,” Federer said. “I know how hard it is to win any major. I would have taken 17 majors. But here we are, one match away from 20. We’ll see what happens.”
As for Cilic, Federer has huge respect for the player who put him out of the US Open in three sets in the semi-finals four years ago – although that was the 29-year-old’s only win against him in nine matches.
“We saw it [here] against Rafa, We saw it again last night against Edmund. He brings power, basically everything. He had a similar problem to Chung when we played in Wimbledon, with the blisters. If he has come this far, he’s ready. He crushed me in the [2014] US Open.
“ We actually played together in the Maldives on vacation a couple of months ago. We were looking for a hitting partner and it was the weirdest thing.”
All that will be forgotten when they reach for the first major title of the season on Sunday.
Friday’s semi-final was forced under the roof by a sudden downpour and, when they walked on court, the humidity was cloying. If physical resilience was going to be a factor it would surely swing the way of Chung, who said after outlasting the injured Novak Djokovic over three sets in the fourth round: “I could have played for another two hours.” Little did we know ...
Federer struck early, putting a dent in Chung’s composure with a string of shots that had him twisting on the spot. He saved two of three break points but dropped serve after five minutes. The ageless Swiss was 4-1 up after 20 minutes. Chung, serving to stay in the set before the half-hour was up, saved deuce five times and four break points before Federer whipped a measured forehand across his unattended deuce side box.
Chung was up for the fight, and put as much beef in shots as he had done all tournament; his dilemma was they were landing on the best counter-puncher in tennis.
The 21-year-old revealed recently the distinctive wrap-around, white-framed glasses he wears correct his high-level astigmatism – which makes his ability to zero in on the ball with such certainty all the more remarkable. But a lineup of players with 20-20 vision could not have prevented the whirring backhand down the line from Federer that broke the South Korean in the fourth game, with the second set less than a quarter of an hour old.
On the changeover at 4-1 down, Chung – with both feet already taped – had more repair work done on his left foot, aching and chafed from so many changes of direction. However, it was a bit like a fighter applying a cold steak to a black eye the day after the fight.
Blistered, blasted but unbowed, Chung got up to keep punching, but not for long.
Federer is now one victory away from a 20th Grand Slam title after 21-year-old Chung was forced to retire with Blisters. World No 2 Roger Federer overcame the South Korean and was leading by a set and a break before he retired. The impressive South Korean knocked Novak Djokovic out earlier in the tournament but another scalp was beyond him. And Federer is expected to defend the title he won last year. The Swiss sensation has yet to drop a set so far in Australia despite Tomas Berdych giving him a scare in the quarter-final. He faces Cilic, who saw off Brit Kyle Edmund yesterday. WHY DID CHUNG RETIRE AGAINST FEDERER?
GETTY Australian Open semi-final LIVE updates: Roger Federer vs Chung Hyeon
Australian Open 2018 prize money revealed Thu, January 25, 2018 How much money will players earn at the Australian Open? Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 8 First round – £28.9k
Roger Federer vs Chung Hyeon LIVE updates Federer on Chung future 10.00: Federer has backed Chung to make the top 10 in the world - despite his misfortune today. “Fighting was a problem today,” he said. “I could tell something was wrong, but he has a great composure. "I think he's going to achieve next level excellence - top 10 for sure. "I can see why he beat Novak (Djokovic) and Sasha (Zverev). He's going to be a great, great player." Federer on Chung retirement 09.50: Roger Federer says he knew something was up with Chung. "I thought the first set was normal,” he said. I couldn't tell what was going on with my opponent. "In the second set I felt he was getting slower. He's had a problem with the blister. It hurts - a lot. At some point it's too much and you make things worse. "Clearly I'm happy to be in the final but not like this. He's had such a wonderful tournament." Federer 6-1 5-2 Chung - Chung retires 09.40: Chung has had to retire due to blisters. Federer was a set a break up in the semi-final before Chung pulled out due to sore feat. He took a medical time out at the end of the first set and had to call it a day at 6-1 5-2 down. Federer will play Marin Cilic in the final on Sunday. Federer 6-1 4-1 Chung* 09.25: Federer goes a break up in the second set with a stunning backhand down the line. He seems to hit parts of the court that aren’t even there. Incredible from Fed. Chung now all at sea and in real trouble. Federer has turned his level up and is racing away with it. He holds to 30 - with Chung getting lucky with the net - to move clear in the second set. Chung looks dazed and confused on the Rod Laver right now. If this was a boxing match… Federer 6-1 2-1 Chung* 09.20: On serve in the second as Chung manages to hold fire on his first game of the second. Federer holds both his games as the players take a breather. In other news: Why does Chung where glasses? Reason revealed here. Federer 6 - 1 Chung - First set Federer 09.10: Federer seals the first set with a third break and looks to have far too much for the South Korean. Federer hasn’t even had to get motoring yet but is strolling through this semi-final. Chung put up a battle saving four set points but Federer made no mistake with the fifth Unless Chung gets his serve together this could be a quick one.
EPA Roger Federer is cruising against Chung in the first set
*Federer 4 - 1 Chung 09.00: Federer has marched into a double break lead already. He’s composed himself after an awkward first service game and now looks like he’s going through the motions. Chung is yet to find his feet of the Rod Laver court and is all but a set down already. Chung’s serving is letting him down big time and he needs to get more in if he wants to lay a glove on Federer. Federer 2 - 0 Chung* 08.50: Chung’s nerves have gone. He fights back in the second game and has a look at his own break point on Federer’s serve. But the world No 2 proves too clever for the 21-year-old and battles back to hold. Not a brilliant start for Federer on his serve with only two of his firsts in. Early break for Federer 08.40: And we’re off. Federer chooses to receive first so Chung is first up to serve. It’s a nervy start for the 21-year-old who offers up two break points straight away. Chung then fires into the net for his first serve and his second is not good enough to put Federer on the back foot. But he does manage to save both break points and get back to deuce as Federer fails to put pressure on to average second serves. Federer though does get the break early on. First blood Roger.
REUTERS Roger Federer vs Chung Hyeon in the Australian Open semi-final
Rusedki on Chung 08.25: Greg Rusedski thinks Chung Hyeon has the best attitude of any of the new generation of players. Chung has impressed this week and Rusedski reveals why. Rusedski told Eurosport: "His mentality is so impressive. In terms of next generation, he's got the strongest mind out there. "What he's done this tournament is incredible. To beat Zverev, who everyone is describing as a future world No 1, 6-0 in the fifth and only losing four points on the Zverev serve is so impressive. "To back that up against Djokovic, and yes Djokovic wasn't 100 per cent, he was there on all the points. "He's the real deal, will be a top 10 player one day. Will he be winning Slams? That's still a question mark. "But what a great opportunity to see where he's at to play the best player in the world in my opinion." Nearly there... 08.20: They are celebrating Australia Day currently on court with Federer and Chung due on around 8.30 this morning. But, as ever with tennis scheduling, those plans are a little loose. Hopefully we won’t be waiting too long to get going.
REUTERS Roger Federer is hoping to reach another Grand Slam final
Federer, 36, took the first set and carved out three break points at 0-40 in the third game of the second.
Chung delivered a big serve on the first of them which was called out by the line judge.
But the chair umpire overuled the decision as in and handed the point to Chung, claiming the call didn't affect Federer's return.
But that incensed the 19-time Grand Slam champion who proceeded to launch into an unusual angry outburst.
GETTY Roger Federer slammed the umpire in an Australian Open rant
GETTY Roger Federer was fuming at Chung being handed a point when the serve was called as out
The Swiss vented his frustration before the umpire intervened and said: "The call did not hinder you. The call was out and you missed the shot."
But that served to wind up the Swiss legend even more.
He fumed: "Really? That's a 'bulls**t' argument. It was during the shot. It was during the shot."
It's not the first time Federer, who is hunting his 20th Grand Slam title, has lost his cool Down Under.
GETTY Roger Federer ranted at a 'bulls**t' decision
10 things you didn't know about Roger Federer Tue, January 16, 2018 Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time – but how much do you really know about him? Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 11 1. Classified ‘unfit’ to serve in Swiss military due to back problems in 2003
