Defending champion Roger Federer plays sixth-seeded Marin Cilic on Sunday in the final of the year’s first Grand Slam.
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Chung only lasted a bit more than two games before pulling out to a stunned silence.
Chung had a devastating end to his unexpected run at Melbourne Park, forced to retire from his semifinal against Roger Federer on Friday night with blisters on his feet that were so painful, he said afterward he could no longer walk.
Chung’s blisters were exponentially worse than your standard blister.
Win or lose Federer will remain world No.2 behind Nadal while Cilic is ensured of climbing from his current six to a career-high three.
The first came at the US Open in 2014 and Federer thinks that should have given him confidence to know he can win big tournaments.
Cilic beat Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals in this year’s Australian Open.
He had also defeated another Spaniard, Pablo Carreno Busta, in four sets, and also defeated former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Vasek Pospisil and recent Brisbane runner-up Ryan Harrison in earlier rounds.
“I think he is already a great player, but we are talking next level excellence and I think he will achieve that”, said Federer.
“Chung only has a very small chance”, Wilander, working as a commentator for Eurosport in Melbourne, told Reuters.
Caroline Wozniacki’s gruelling climb back to the summit could soon be over with the world No.1 ranking up for grabs in her Australian Open final against Simona Halep. “I’m incredibly happy to be in the finals, but not like this”.
Roger Federer was leading 6-1 5-2 when Chung Hyeon retired in second setWhat time are the players due on court?
Federer hasn’t dropped a set in his six matches and is zeroing in on his seventh Australian title in his 30th Grand Slam final.
This will be the second meeting between the pair in a Grand Slam final in the past three tournaments. He comes in with the significant disadvantage of having spent 17 hours on court, more than half as much again as Federer.
Criticism over the scheduling and conditions of the Australian Open has continued as the final two contenders in the men’s draw have limped across the finish line.
Even Federer admits such records were far from his mind when he arrived in Australia previous year, seeded 17th and fresh from a six-month lay-off forced by his wonky knee. In his path stands Marin Cilic who finished runner up to the Swiss legend at the All England Club and comes into the last round of the tournament with a straight sets win over Kyle Edmund.
He would also become the first Croat, male or female, to win the Australian Open.
All four tennis majors are played in summer across the globe, although the summers in Paris, London and NY do not reach the scorching temperatures they do in Australia.
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“I think he played great against Rafa Nadal”. When he added that Federer had no challenges remaining for the set, Federer approached the chair and the crowd cheers intensified.
