Hyeon Chung was one of the most prominent players born in 1996. The Korean claimed the inaugural ATP Next Gen Finals trophy in 2017 and reached the Australian Open semifinal a few months later. Hyeon was the 23rd seed at Indian Wells 2018, notching up four wins to advance to the quarter-finals.
Roger Federer stood between the youngster and a spot in the semis, with the Swiss cruising to a 7-5 6-1 win in an hour and 23 minutes. Roger fired three winners in the opening game and claimed five straight points on the return in game two to secure a break with a forehand lob winner.
In the third game, the Swiss added four service winners to confirm the advantage. The Korean took the lead with an unreturned serve in the fourth game. Roger suffered a break in the fifth game from 40-15, losing a bit of ground and allowing his rival to get back on the positive side of the scoreboard.
Federer took Game 7 with four winners, and both served well in the next three games to wrap up the score at 5-5. Roger clinched the eleventh game with an unreturned serve and closed out the set with a break in the twelfth game.
Chung made four errors in the second game to give up serve and continue to lose. Roger held serve in the third game and hit four service winners in the fifth for 4-1. Federer was strong again on the return in game six and capitalized on the third break chance after Chung’s double fault to extend the lead.
King Roger reflects on his wife
During a recent interview with Caminada, 20-time Major champion Roger Federer was asked to elaborate on his wife’s importance throughout his life and career. “When I got together with Mirka, I didn’t have a single title on the tour,” said the 40-year-old.
“She’s a strong, intelligent woman, and her influence on my career and on me as a person has been huge. Mirka gave me confidence and taught me to do my best. And she comforted me when I lost. In addition, she never let me forget real, real life during the stressful everyday life on tour.
She kept our friends and family together and showed me how important it is to make your own way and not to listen to the media or critics, but to trust the advice of friends and family,” he said. “Our life together is intense and exciting, and fortunately there is always a lot to laugh about. We also have four children together, and we are doing all we can to ensure their future. I’m sure.”
