Serbia’s Novak Djokovic started his run for a sixth Australian Open title with an impressive win over the promising South Korean teenager Hyeon Chung in straight sets: 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. The World Number 1 hit 40 winners in the match compared to 16 for Chung and won 89% of his first serve points while Chung only won 59% of his. Djokovic also won all 15 of his net approaches in the match; Chung won 5 of 10 net approaches. The Serb hit the ball cleanly and made excellent shot selections in a well-played match. The young South Korean did not show any nerves and held his own in many lengthy rallies with strong groundstrokes and showed why he is one of the ATP rising stars.
Chung started the match off well, holding his first two service games. Djokovic got the first break of serve in the sixth game answering a drop shot by Chung with a better drop shot of his own. Chung got the break back in the next game only to have his serve broken again in the eighth game. The Serb served out the ninth game with an ace, an open court winner and a couple of Chang errors to win the set. Djokovic got off to a 4-0 start in the second set before Chang held serve in the fifth game after seven deuces. Djokovic took the set 6-2 on the strength of 18 winners versus 6 for Chang in the set. The Serb won 92% of his first service points compared to only 53% for Chung. Djokovic started the third set with a break of serve and that was all he needed to take the third set as he held his own serve easily. Although Chung improved his first serve points won to 73%, Djokovic won 94% and ripped 14 winners in the set.
Djokovic is coming off what he described as “ the best year of his life” in his on-court interview at the end of the match. He finished 2015 with an 82-6 win-loss record and 11 titles, including three grand slams, six Masters and the year-end championship. The Serb started 2016 by crushing Rafa Nadal at Doha: 6-1, 6-2. He finished 2015 with an 82-6 win-loss record and 11 titles, including three grand slams, six Masters and the year-end championship. “I played against a player who did everything perfect,” Nadal said after that match. “I know nobody playing tennis like this ever. Since I know this sport, I never saw somebody playing at this level.”
The tennis world is sure to see more of the nineteen-year-old Chung. The ATP players voted him last year’s most improved player. Chung is currently ranked 57; he started 2015 ranked 151. His breakout year included match wins in seven tour-level events and four ATP Challenger Tour titles. He reached the second round at the 2015 U.S. Open with a win over James Duckworth, but lost to Stan Wawrinka in three tiebreaks. He is known as a hard worker with solid groundstrokes, especially his backhand and good court speed. As he revealed in his match against Djokovic, his serve is not as powerful as it could be. Chung is also known for his prescription sports glasses. He began playing tennis at six years old at the suggestion of a doctor to improve his vision by tracking the ball.
Djokovic will face the winner of the Quentin Halys – Ivan Dodig match.
