WITHIN SIGHT
Federer chases 20th Grand Slam
>> MELBOURNE: Roger Federer hailed Chung Hyeon as a future top 10 player yesterday after the South Korean’s Australian Open came to a painful end at the hands of the Swiss maestro.
The defending champion was leading 6-1, 5-2 and in full control when Chung retired with foot blisters, bringing the curtain down on a breakout tournament in which he announced himself as a future star in the making.
The 21-year-old sent 12-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic packing in the quarter-finals, although the Serb was carrying an injury and not at his best.
But he also accounted for fourth seed Alexander Zverev in his best Grand Slam showing so far.
In 20 years at the top, Federer has seen plenty of players come and go and only had praise for the youngster.
“I think he is already a great player, but we are talking next level excellence and I think he will achieve that,” said Federer, who is into his 30th Grand Slam final as he chases a 20th major title.
“We will see much more of him. Top 10 for sure.”
He added that he did not want to put too much pressure and expectation on Chung as “I don’t think it’s fair”.
But he said: “I think he’s going to have a lot of success. At what stage, how much, we will see.”
Chung’s unexpected run to be the first South Korean in a Grand Slam semi-final has drawn new fans to the sport in his homeland where tennis lags far behind golf and baseball in the popularity stakes.
It also sparked top television ratings and a spike in sales of tennis gear, with Chung set to return home far more famous, and richer, than when he left.
Nicknamed “The Professor” due to his trademark thick white-rimmed glasses, Chung said he retired because his blisters were “red raw”.
Despite the anti-climax, he said it was great experience and he was “really honoured” to be on the same court as Federer.
“I enjoyed the two weeks, on court and off court. I’m just really happy,” he said.
“For sure, I played really good in the last two weeks. I made first round of 16, quarters and play Sascha [Zverev], Novak, Roger. I had a really good experience.
“I think I can play better and better in the future.”
One of his key takeaways was the confidence it had given him.
“A lot of confidence. I played a lot of good players in the last two weeks. I can play, like, more comfortable on the court with the great players like Roger.”
Meanwhile, Federer said he has nothing to improve in his stellar game as he closes in on a 20th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
The Swiss great will meet Marin Cilic in the final tomorrow.
“I just have to play a good match. At this point it’s not about having to improve anything in particular,” he told reporters.
“I think I’ve done everything pretty well. I just hope I’m going to have a good start to the match. I hope I can mix up my game.
“I hope I can start serving well from the get-go, not get into too much trouble early. I hope I can read his serve and all these things.”
Ominously, Federer added: “I’m just pleased that actually my game has been good from the very beginning of the tournament so far.
“I mean, I’ve won all my matches without dropping a set. Things must be all right if I’m in this stage right now not having dropped a set and in the final.”
Federer beat French 29th seed Richard Gasquet and Czech 19th seed Tomas Berdych to get to his eagerly awaited semi-final with Novak Djokovic-conqueror Chung, but the contest proved a non-event.
Federer has an imposing win-loss record of 93-13 at the Australian Open and overall his Grand Slam record stands at 331-52.
RESULTS
Men’s singles semi-final
Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Chung Hyeon (KOR) 6-1, 5-2 ret
Women’s doubles final
Timea Babos (HUN)/Kristina Mladenovic (FRA x5) bt Ekaterina Makarova/Elena Vesnina (RUS x2) 6-4, 6-3
Order of play
(Not before 3.30pm Thai time)
Women’s singles final
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x2) v Simona Halep (ROM x1)
Men’s doubles final
Oliver Marach (AUT)/Mate Pavic (CRO x7) v Juan Sebastian Cabal/Robert Farah (COL x11)