ATP: Next Gen Finals: Chung first semi-finalist

Hyeon Chung played himself in a real run at the ATP NextGen Finals in Milan. The South Korean defeated Andrey Rublev 4-0,4-1 and 4-3 (1) on day two, making him the first semi-finalist in the “U21 World Cup”.

“The result looks like an easy match, but on the pitch it was anything but easy,” said Chung after his second win in the second group game. I’m trying to play my best tennis and focus on every single point.”

Rublev only made 14 easy mistakes over the entire match, but Chung played too solidly and frustrated his opponent point by point. Rublev often seemed to have already won points, but Chung used his speed to let Rublev play more and more strokes.

On Thursday, Chung will meet the Italian wild card owner Gianluigi Quinzi, and could secure the group win with another triumph. This was already Chung’s second victory over Rublev: A few weeks ago, the South Korean Rublev defeated Winston Salem 5:7 6:1,6:1.

Rublev still has a chance to reach the semi-finals. The Russian won against Quinzi on Tuesday and will play against Denis Shapovalov on Thursday.

In the second match of the day, Karen Khachanov won her first victory after a frustrating start. The American Jared Donaldson won against Khachanov 4:1,4:3 (3), 4:2.

“I played well yesterday, but a few points were decisive,”said Khachanov,”but today everything was on my side. I am happy, but also yesterday I played well. That was good tennis.”

The Russians won 22 victories in just eleven unforced errors, while Donaldson’s 10:14 record. Donaldson lost his sixth consecutive game.