Federer sails to 20th final as blistered Chung retires
MELBOURNE – Roger Federer earned a crack at a 20th Grand Slam title via short route, advancing to the Australian Open Finals with a 6-1, 5-2 win as Hyeon Chung retired due to foot blisters.
The South Korean had taken a medical timeout earlier in the second set to receive treatment on his foot. The match was barely an hour old when he quit.
Chung received a smattering of boos after retiring, though the crowd at Rod Laver Arena applauded as he walked off court.
Federer thus advanced to face Marin Cilic in tomorrow’s final for a chance at his 20th major crown.
The semis started with the roof closed because of a late rain shower over Melbourne.
“It’s bittersweet. I’m incredibly happy to be in the final, but not like this,” said Federer, raring to get back at Cilic, who beat him in the US Open semifinals.
“I’m excited to play him (Cilic),” said Federer. “Not having a brutal semifinal, he’ll have rest and we’ll see a different Cilic this time.” “I can’t wait. I can’t wait.” On Thursday, Cilic joined the exclusive company at the Aussie Open with a 6-2, 7-6 (4), 6-2 semifinal win over 49th-ranked Kyle Edmund, Cilic became only the second man from outside the “Big Four” to reach the final at season-opening major in a decade.
Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have dominated the men’s finals since 2009, with only 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka breaking the quartet’s court occupation in the championship match.
The 29-year-old Cilic, the first Croatian to make the final at Melbourne Park, could face the founding member of the “Big Four” in the final tomorrow.
Cilic lost to Federer in last year’s Wimbledon final, where he was injured and struggling at the end. This time, he has held off No. 10 Pablo Carreno Busta and top-ranked Rafael Nadal and thinks, with two days to rest before the final, he’ll be in better shape.
“I’m feeling really, really good physically,” he said. “I played a great tournament so far with my level of tennis.
“I improved it comparing to end of the last year. I’m playing much, much more aggressive — feeling really excited about the final, too.”
It’ll be a third major final for Cilic, who beat Federer in the semifinals at the 2014 U.S. Open before going on to win his breakthrough Grand Slam title.