The 58th-ranked Chung withdrew against the second-ranked Federer with an apparent left foot injury, when the score was 6-1, 5-2 in favor of the Swiss great. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korean tennis sensation Chung Hyeon bowed out to Roger Federer in the Australian Open semifinals Friday, ending a historic run that has captivated a nation hungry for new sporting heroes.
The 58th-ranked Chung withdrew against the second-ranked Federer with an apparent left foot injury, when the score was 6-1, 5-2 in favor of the Swiss great.
Chung was the lowest-ranked man to make the Australian Open semifinals since Marat Safin 2004. The 21-year-old knocked out six-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic and world No. 4 Alexander Zverev en route to the final four.
But it wasn’t meant to be for Chung against Federer, former world No. 1 with a record 19 Grand Slam singles titles. Now ranked No. 2, Federer will go for his sixth Australian Open title against Marin Cilic in Sunday’s final.
Chung still made plenty of history Down Under this week. He’s the first South Korean tennis player, male or female, to make the semifinals at a Grand Slam tournament. After the end of the Australian Open, Chung is expected to crack the top 30 in the world rankings.
Former men’s singles player Lee Hyung-taik holds the highest-ranking position by a South Korean player at No. 36. He reached that position in August 2007.
(Yonhap)
