Hyeon Chung continued his stunning run at the Australian Open tournament. The 21 year-old became the first Korean into a grand slam semi-final after he defeated the United States’ Tennys Sandgren 6-4, 7-6 6-3.
Both had come into the tournament with career-high performances. Chung had scored excellent wins over the likes of World No.4 Alexander Zverev and six-time former champion Novak Djokovic in the fourth round. No.97 Sandgren had defeated former winner Stan Wawrinka in the second round. He then defeated 5th seed Dominic Thiem in the fourth round.
Interestingly, the pair had had their first career meeting just a fortnight before, in Auckland. Chung proved the winner in that one too, a close three-setter, in a event that Sandgren only gained entry into as a lucky loser.
Chung took the early break, making the move in game three. He was forced to save break points immediately in the next game. He did though, and had chances to break again in the next game. He took the first set with a love service hold.
Sandgren lost serve in the first game of the second. However, the American won five of the next seven games to lead and serve for the set. In what was possibly the turning point in the match, Chung did well to break back and deny the American.
In the tiebreak that followed, Sandgren Chung edged to a two-set lead, drawing an off-balance error from Sandgren at 6-5.
Sandgren had the first chance to break in the third. However, it was the American who was broken in game four. A long deuce game ended with Sandgren dumping the second ball off the return in the net to give Chung a seemingly unassailable lead in the Melbourne heat.
Chung consolidated the break twice with love service holds, and appeared to be doing the same as he served for the match, racing to a 40-0 lead. Sandgren very nearly capitalised though, as the South Korean tightened. The American got back to deuce, and even had a pair of break points to get back on serve in the third. However, despite some exhibition style tennis, including a slice rally and some remarkable net work from Sandgren, Chung finally held for the win.
It took the 21 year-old until his sixth match point, but he drew an error from Sandgren that landed beyond the baseline for a historic win.
Chung will face the winner of the bottom quarter-final between two veterans, Tomas Berdych, and five-time former champion Roger Federer. Chung has not yet faced Federer.
Chung thanked his team, including his new coach Neville Goodwin, and his family, with his mother, father, and older brother all in attendance.