Hyeon Chung came back from losing the first set to edge past Italian wild-card Gianluigi Quinzi 1-4 4-1 4-2 3-4 (6-8) 4-3 (7-3) after 2 hours and seven minutes.
Quinzi got the only break of the first set on his third chance in the second game and held his next two service games to take the first set 4-1.
Chung broke in the fourth game for 3-1 and served out at love to win the second set 4-1.
In the third set Chung got the break at 1-1 on the deciding point. The South Korean player saved a break point at 3-2 and held his serve on the deciding point to take the third set 4-2.
In the fifth game of the fourth set Quinzi dropped his serve at 15, when Chung hit a drop volley at 2-2. Quinzi received a medical time-out to treat his right harmstring. As the match resumed the former Wimbledon Junior champion broke back with a volley winner on the match point
In the tie-break Quinzi missed a set point at 6-5 but he converted his second chance for 8-6, when Chung made a double fault.
Quinzi fended off two match points at 2-3 with an ace and a backhand volley winner. The decisive set came down to the tie-break where Chung ccruised to a 7-3 win.
“Gianluigi played well in the first set, so I had no chance to break back. I have played him before in juniors. He is good on the baseline. I am just trying to stay calm and playing all the best. I had a chance in the fourth set to finish the match, but he had a good serve and good volley. We played the fifth set, and I got lucky here and there. We know each other very well, as we met four years ago in the Wimbledon Junior final. He played well in Juniors and was number 1 at that level. I am happy to see him on the Tour”
I don’t know if I will meet Khachanov or Medvedev in the semifinal, but I will give my best tomorrow. I am trying to enjoy on the court and trying to play 100 percent all the time. I think I am just playing better and better every day. I have a really good year with my first ATP semifinal and my highest ranking. I have reached the third round in Grand Slam. I played against Kei Nishikori in the Grand Slam. I have a good memory of 2017. I am really enjoying here in Milan”
Chung was asked about his opinion on the new rules introduced for the inaugural edition of the ATP Next Gan Finals.
“The first rule I like is the shot clock, because sometimes I got warning because I had to clean the glasses, so I got the warning all the time in long matches. And maybe the no lets. Not easy to pick two”
Chung will start his off-season after this week’s Milan tournament and he will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy next week’s ATP Finals in London.
“For sure I am going to watch London on TV at home. Maybe everyone has the chance to win. Maybe Roger, maybe Rafa”.
