Chung Hyeon stuns Novak Djokovic at Australian Open – Watch highlights
Novak Djokovic suffered a straight sets loss to Chung Hyeon in the fourth round of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Monday.
tennis Updated: Jan 23, 2018 02:01 IST
New Delhi
If perfect days do exist, Chung Hyeon was certainly enjoying one at the Australian Open on Monday. The 21-year old South Korean was relentless in his approach at the Rod Laver Arena and after a grueling encounter, he was able to defeat six-time champion Novak Djokovic 7-6(4), 7-5, 7-6(3).
READ | Novak Djokovic stunned by Chung Hyeon in Round 4 of Australian Open
The 21-year-old Chung, ranked 58th in the world, proved an immovable object, absorbing everything the former world number one could throw at him and returning it with interest.
What a performance thus far from the young 🇰🇷 star!#Chung takes the first set 7-6(4)#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/qFwdsMsFXg
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2018
Two years after losing in straight sets to Djokovic on the same Rod Laver Arena, the bespectacled Chung turned the tables to claim the biggest victory of his career.
As a result, Chung Hyeon became the first South Korean to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal and he will certainly be the favourite to win his next match against with unseeded American Tennys Sandgren.
Some intense rallying going on between the pair on @RodLaverArena!#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/V7tm103pAQ
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2018
“I didn’t know how I’d win tonight. I was just honoured to play against Novak and happy to see him back on the Tour,” Chung said on court as his compatriots cheered in the stands.
Running out of words to describe these #Chung winners...
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2018
He leads 2-🍩 early in the second set.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/D4iLqALp0F
“I try to copy Novak in the way I play, he is my idol.”
Djokovic, who sought treatment for his troublesome right elbow and an apparent hip injury when stretching for a ball, battled through in great discomfort and was quite graceful in defeat.
This man is just something else tonight... 😎#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/7gNoUfWegw
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2018
"When I was young I just tried to copy Novak (Djokovic) because he was my idol."
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2018
- Hyeon #Chung 🌟#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/zeyAjA6Rx0
“Congratulations to Chung on an amazing performance,” the 12-times grand slam champion said.
“He deserved to win. Whenever he was in trouble he came out with some great passing shots and at the back of the court, he was like a wall,” he added at the post-match interview.
(With agency inputs)
First Published: Jan 23, 2018 02:01 IST