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French Open: Kei Nishikori survives two-set-blackout to beat Chung Hyeon
Kei Nishikori, in his 100th Tour-level claycourt match, recovered his composure in time though, taking more risks and playing the angles to stretch Chung Hyeon.
Kei Nishikori survived a two-set blackout to beat Chung Hyeon 7-5, 6-4, 6-7(4), 0-6, 6-4 in their rain-delayed French Open third round tie on Sunday, winning the first ever all-Asian battle at this stage of the tournament.
Japanese eighth seed Nishikori looked to be cruising into the fourth round on Saturday after grabbing the opening two sets against the in-form 21-year-old South Korean, who is ranked 67th in the world.
Chung battled back to force a tiebreak in the third, which he won, and then raced to a 3-0 lead before rain saved the day for Nishikori, who slammed his racket onto the ground in frustration just before the rain interruption.
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On a sun-kissed Court One on Sunday, Chung, Asia’s rising tennis star, picked up where he had left off on Saturday to hand Nishikori his first grand slam bagel in six years.
The experienced 27-year-old, in his 100th Tour-level claycourt match, recovered his composure in time though, taking more risks and playing the angles to stretch Chung.
He earn a break to go 4-1 up and won the three-hour, 51 minute marathon when Chung double-faulted on match-point.
