PHOTOS Historic win: Chung Hyeon reaches Australian Open semifinals
Chung Hyeon of South Korea celebrates winning against Tennys Sandgren of the U.S. in the Australian Open's quarterfinals at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24. / Reuters-Yonhap
By Ko Dong-hwan
South Korea’s Chung Hyeon has cranked up another notch in the nation’s tennis history, clinching his Australian Open quarterfinals match on Wednesday and advancing to the semifinals.
Chung beat Tennys Sandgren of the United States 3-0 (6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3) at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24.
Chung became the first South Korean to reach a semifinal at a Grand Slam event.
He will face the winner of tonight’s quarterfinal match between Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych.
Chung Hyeon of South Korea hits a shot against Tennys Sandgren of the U.S. in the Australian Open's quarterfinals at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24. / Reuters-Yonhap
Tennys Sandgren of the U.S. hits a shot against Chung Hyeon of South Korea in the Australian Open's quarterfinals at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24. / Reuters-Yonhap
It was Chung's second encounter with Sandgren. The 58th-ranked Korean defeated the American (97th) 2-1 in the first round of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, a couple of weeks ago.
“In the last game 40-40 above, I started thinking what to do in a ceremony or something like that,” Chung said in a post-match interview, raising laughter from the crowd.
During the last game, Chung kept rallying with Sandgren with sliced backhands, which “almost looked like having practice with Tennys.”
“Because I was losing breakpoint down, I can do anything. Just put the ball in first and I have to run a lot,” Chung said.
Chung said his new coach Neville Godwin “makes me enjoy on and off court, always.” The Korean pointed him out in the crowd, as well as his Korean coach, his agent “Stuart,” his brother and his parents.
Spectators sitting in the player box of Chung Hyeon of South Korea react during Chung's match against Tennys Sandgren of the U.S. in the Australian Open's quarterfinals at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24. / Reuters-Yonhap
Chung Hyeon of South Korea gets up after stretching for a shot against Tennys Sandgren of the U.S. in the Australian Open's quarterfinals at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24. / Reuters-Yonhap
Former tennis player Rod Laver is pictured in the stands during the match between Chung Hyeon of South Korea and Tennys Sandgren of the U.S. in the Australian Open's quarterfinals at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24. / Reuters-Yonhap
Asked who he would like to meet in his first Grand Slam semifinal, Chung said “50-50, whoever wins, I don’t care.”
He wrapped up the interview in Korean, thanking his fans in Melbourne and Seoul. He said he hoped to see them again on Friday when he plays in the semifinal.
Chung will meet the winner of tonight’s match between Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic.
The entry into the tournament’s semifinals earned Chung $AUD880,000
Chung Hyeon of South Korea shakes hands with Tennys Sandgren of the U.S. after Chung won their match. / Reuters-Yonhap
Samil Technical High School students in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, celebrate Wednesday as Chung Hyeon, a school graduate, defeats Tennys Sandgren to reach the Australian Open semifinals. / Yonhap