Defending champion Roger Federer has booked his place in a record 30th grand slam final after South Korea’s Hyeon Chung retired with a foot injury during their semi-final clash at the Australian Open.
The world No.2 was leading the match 6-1, 5-2, before Chung was forced to retire. The unseeded South Korean struggled with his movement as the matched progressed. During a medical time out he received treatment on his left foot for blisters shortly before retiring from his first grand slam semifinal.
“I thought the first set was, let’s say, kind of normal. I couldn’t tell what was going on with my opponent. I guessed I was just too focused to keep the lead to be honest.” Federer said after the match.
“In the second set I started to feel that he was getting a bit slower. I know he has had problems with blisters for some time, but you don’t know how bad it is.”
15 years separates the two players and that disparity in experience was noticeable from the onset. Playing in his 53rd grand slam tournament, 36-year-old Federer settled in instantly as he bullied his opponent around the court with an array of shots landing close to the baseline. In comparison, Chung struggled to get the fire going in what was his first major semifinal at the age of 21. Three breaks of the South Korean’s serve secured Federer the opening set after just 34 minutes of play.
Federer continued his dominance beyond the opening set, prompting a worried look from Chung’s team. Four games into the second set, a costly error from the world No.58 gifted Federer three chances to break for a set and 3-1 lead. It was an opportunity seized by the world No.2 as he hit a clean backhand passing shot down the line.
Chung’s maiden experience of playing in the last four of a grand slam worsened further after he took a medical time out for treatment on his left foot. The doctor replaced the bandaging that was used to cover his blisters. Prompting flashbacks to the 2017 Wimbledon final when Federer eased past Marin Cilic, who also experienced problems with blisters. Unlike Cilic, Chung could not continue and exit the Melbourne court in bitter disappointment.
“This one feels bittersweet.” Concluded Federer. “Obviously I am incredibly happy to be in the final, but not like this. He (Chung) has played a wonderful tournament.”
Regardless of the dramatic end to their encounter, Federer has praised the performance on his rival. Chung has scored wins over Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic to become the first player from his country to reach the semifinal of a major tournament. The run is set to move him inside the top 30 for the first time in his career.
“I could tell something was wrong before he took the timeout. But he has a great composure and I think we’re going to see a lot more for him. Top 10 for sure.” The 19-time grand slam champion predicts.
“The rest, I don’t know, I don’t want to put too much pressure on him. I think he’s going to be a great player.”
Cilic awaits
Aiming to defend a grand slam title for the first time since 2008, Federer will take on Cilic in the final. The Croat disposed of Kyle Edmund in straight sets during their clash on Thursday. He leads Cilic 8-1 in their head-to-head with his only loss occuring at the 2014 US Open.
“We saw it against Rafa, we saw it again against Edmund. He brings power, he brings everything.” Federer said of Cilic.
“He crushed me in the US Open semi-finals. I’m excited to play him. We actually played together on vacation in the Maldives. We were both looking for a hitting partner. I told him to practice in the tropicals helped me get to the finals!”
On Sunday, Federer will be aiming to become the first man in history to win a 20th grand slam title.
