Hyeon Chung

[Damian]

The Professor Is Back: Chung Returns At Chengdu Challenger

Spoiler:

you won't find the Korean in the cozy confines of Rock Creek Park. Travel nearly 8,000 miles west to Chengdu, China, and 23-year-old is celebrating a second-round victory on the ATP Challenger Tour.

After more than five months on the sidelines, Chung is back.

"I'm really happy to be back on the tour again," Chung told ATPChallengerTour.com. "I had a back injury. I've missed the competition a lot and just being out there. It felt good to play today. It's my first tournament since February, so I'm just happy to be on court."

Chengdu

With little fanfare at the Sichuan International Tennis Center, Chung earned his first victory since January as he kicked off his comeback from a back injury. A 6-3, 6-2 win over Kento Takeuchi was a big step for the former World No. 19. The setting was irrelevant. He was just happy to be back.

"I missed a lot tournaments and few Grand Slams. I fell out of the Top 100 too. But my back feels great and that's why I've come back now. I'm ready to go. I've been practising, doing rehab and treatment since February. I'm happy to be back in Chengdu. The city is nice and the fans are great."

It was just last year that the man they call 'The Professor' was taking the ATP Tour by storm. Chung announced himself to the tennis world with a semi-final finish at the Australian Open, a mere months after lifting the trophy at the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals.


Behind an aggressive, attacking mentality and tactical prowess, Chung was putting the rest of the tour on notice. A straight-sets win over Novak Djokovic in Melbourne was followed by deep runs at the ATP Masters 1000 stops in Indian Wells and Miami. The Korean would become the first from his country to crack the Top 20 of the ATP Rankings.

But, despite his immediate wealth of success, Chung's body was not cooperating. A persistent back injury plagued him throughout the second half of 2018 and he would eventually decide to take a break after the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam in February. He has not competed since.

"There's some stress and it's not what I wanted, because I was playing really good last year. But I'm just trying to stay positive all the time. I don't know why I've been injured so much, but I'm trying to stay focused."


ATP Challenger Tour
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Welcome back, @HyeonChung!

After more than five months on the sidelines with a back injury, the made a triumphant return on Tuesday in Chengdu.

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Despite the frustrating first half of the season, Chung can take solace in the fact that he's come back from a similar situation. In 2016, he enjoyed a successful return from an abdominal injury, immediately reaching back-to-back finals on the ATP Challenger Tour, including a title in Kaohsiung. Two months later, he added a second trophy in Kobe, Japan, as he pushed towards a return to the Top 100.

Three years later, Chung is in similar territory, having slipped from his Top 20 perch to a current standing of No. 166 in the ATP Rankings. The Suwon native says he is taking it one step at a time and has already found inspiration from his countryman Soon-woo Kwon.

The 21-year-old Kwon has emerged as one of the brightest stars on the ATP Challenger Tour this year. The top-ranked Korean, at No. 112 in the ATP Rankings, he owns a staggering 31-12 record with titles in Yokohama and Seoul. And last week, Kwon earned his first ATP Tour match win in Atlanta.

"Soon-woo is playing really well so far this year," Chung added. "We're really good friends and we've practised a lot together. We train for Davis Cup together and just whenever we have the time. We're close and I'm really happy to see him play well. I think he's going to keep playing better.

"I've been injured, but I'm still happy to be part of that younger group, also with Tsitsipas, De Minaur, Fritz and the others. I'm hoping to continue following them."

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/chengdu ... g-comeback

[Kamileki]

[Damian]

Chung najlepszy w Chengdu!

International Challenger Chengdu (Chengdu, China): Look who's back! Hyeon Chung claimed his first title since the 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals, prevailing on the hard courts of Chengdu. It was the Korean star's first tournament back, following a five-month absence due to a back injury.

Chung made quite the statement to kick off his comeback, rediscovering his rhythm in a hurry, en route to his ninth ATP Challenger Tour title overall. The former World No. 19 is well on his way to a Top 100 return, rising to No. 141 with the victory.

"I'm really happy because I missed the competition and I'm looking forward to playing even more," Chung told ATPChallengerTour.com. "The weather here was really hot and humid and I played three long matches in a row. I was trying to stay calm all the time and fight for every point. It feels great to be back on court and without pain. I practised really hard to get here."

In Sunday's final, Chung defeated Yuichi Sugita, who was coming off a title in Binghamton, New York, the week prior and traveled 7,000 miles to compete in Chengdu.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/challen ... ng-chengdu

[Kamileki]

[Damian]

Last January, 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals champion Hyeon Chung made his biggest breakthrough yet by reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open. When the US Open rolled around, he was No. 23 in the ATP Rankings, making him a seeded player in the main draw of the US Open.

But on Monday, World No. 151 Chung had to compete in the first round of qualifying in Flushing Meadows, where he rolled past Austrian Sebastian Ofner 6-3, 6-3 in 74 minutes.

Chung missed five months of the season due to a back injury, and he has played just three events since February, all of which have come on the ATP Challenger Tour. The 23-year-old will next play Italian Stefano Napolitano, who advanced past American Sam Riffice 6-2, 6-4 after one hour and 22 minutes.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/chung-k ... ing-monday

[Kamileki]

[Damian]

Two South Koreans also advanced to within a win of reaching the main draw. Hyeon Chung, the 29th seed on the comeback from a back injury, routed Italy's Stefano Napolitano 6-2, 6-3 and will meet ninth seed Mikael Ymer.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/martine ... qualifying

[Damian]

Also punching his ticket was Hyeon Chung. The former World No. 19 is on the comeback trail after returning from a six-month injury absence (back). He would cruise into his fourth US Open main draw, not dropping more than three games in a set all week.
Watch Feature: Chung Making Most Of Challenger Comeback
Chung, who lifted the trophy at the Chengdu Challenger in his comeback debut, is a staggering 11-1 since returning to action at the start of the month. He will open against Ernesto Escobedo after dismissing Mikael Ymer 6-1, 6-3 in Friday's qualifying finale.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/us-open ... nner-chung

[Damian]

Longtime Friends Chung & Kwon Lead South Korean Hopes Into US Open Main Draw

Spoiler:

South Koreans carry a nation's hopes in Flushing Meadows
Hyeon Chung and Soonwoo Kwon, 23 and 21 years old, respectively, have known each other for more than a decade, or as Chung described it, since they were “little kids”. They’re good friends off the court and part of the same group chat where they talk about things that have nothing to do with tennis.

But Friday was an extra special day on the court for them, as both South Koreans won their matches in the third round of qualifying in Flushing Meadows, earning berths into the main draw of the US Open.

“We practised a lot because we’re good friends,” Chung told ATPTour.com. “He played really good the past few weeks and this year so far, so I’m really happy to see him playing well.”

For Chung, it’s been a strong return to form over the past month after missing more than five months of the season due to a lower back injury. The World No. 151 played his first tournament since Rotterdam at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Chengdu, China, which he won. After competing in two more Challenger events, Chung arrived in New York with momentum, winning all three of his qualifying matches in straight sets.

“I’m really happy to be back on the Tour and I’m really happy to be through to the main draw,” Chung said. “I was injured the past few months, so I’m just trying to stay positive and enjoy every moment.”


At home Chung would have the same daily routine: training in the morning and treatment in the afternoon as he tried to heal and get himself into playing shape. The 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals champion, who made waves just two months later by reaching last year’s Australian Open semi-finals, had missed the sport.

“I’m just trying to focus on every moment and think of a good future,” Chung said. “I’m just trying to be back at tour-level as soon as possible. But these are the first tournaments, so I’m trying to stay healthy first.”

Chung tried to qualify at the US Open in 2014, and both the Australian Open and Roland Garros in 2015, but fell short on all three occasions. So the former World No. 19 is understandably excited to get through to the main draw.

“I missed Grand Slams,” Chung said. “I’m just focussed on every match because it’s not easy after a six-month injury.”

It’s even more special to be able to enjoy that success again alongside his friend, Kwon. While Chung has proven his abilities on the ATP Tour, Kwon first broke into the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings on 5 August, and he is currently at a career-high No. 90. This will be the first time he competes in the main draw of the US Open.

“I’m so grateful to play such a big tournament with Chung. We just want to congratulate each other because we’re both so happy to be here in the main draw,” Kwon told ATPTour.com. “It’s very impressive to see him playing so well after a long period of time not being on the court. Since I know Chung really well, it’s so encouraging to see him playing so well now.”

You May Also Like: Five Things To Know About Soonwoo Kwon
Kwon has been checking off new milestones weekly of late. At the BB&T Atlanta Open, he earned his first ATP Tour win. The next week at the Abierto de Tenis Mifel presentado por Cinemex, Kwon advanced to his maiden tour-level quarter-final. And now, he will compete in the US Open main draw for the first time against Bolivian Hugo Dellien.

“I’m excited about having so many goals and accomplishing them. I’m getting even more excited than ever before,” Kwon said.

The fan of hard courts has also been inspired by watching Chung rise on the ATP Tour. Although Chung has struggled physically since his big Australian Open run last year, Kwon had a close eye on his success nonetheless.

“That really motivates me to play even harder,” Kwon said of Chung’s early success. “It’s very impressive to see him playing so well after a long period of time not being on the court.”

Kyu Tae Im, Kwon's coach, climbed as high as No. 160 in the ATP Rankings in November 2009. At the time, he was the only South Korean in the Top 200. So he understands the importance of having two players from his country in the main draw of a Grand Slam.

"This means a lot to both the players and Korean tennis. Soonwoo and Hyeon have a very healthy relationship; huge competition on court, but they are very supportive of each other and their team," Im said. "I hope this would be a nice stepping stone for Korean tennis. I hope to see tennis gaining more popularity and young kids playing tennis."

<a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/players/soon ... w'>Soonwoo Kwon</a>
A young Soonwoo Kwon
Im began working with Kwon this March, and he believes that playing qualifying at various tour-level events — and advancing to the main draw five times dating back to Wimbledon — has helped his pupil significantly.

"I never expected he would step up this fast. I always focussed on building an accountable relationship and finding strengths rather than focusing on weaknesses, and it worked," Im said. "I think it was a smart decision to play more tour-level qualies, which helped Kwon build confidence. I am fortunate to work with such a smart player. He would pick up something during practice and apply them right away in the next match."

After his first ATP Tour match win in Atlanta, Kwon was itching to crack the Top 100. Not only has he done so, but now he has a chance to shine on one of the sport's biggest stages.

“Just being in the Top 100 has always been my dream since I’m very young and since I’ve already accomplished that goal, I’m getting bigger dreams more and more,” Kwon said. “It’s just incredible to have those dreams.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/hyeon-c ... -open-2019

[arti]

[Damian]

Chung Survives In Five For First Tour-Level Win Since January

Spoiler:

Hyeon Chung was made to work to earn his first tour-level victory since the Australian Open in January. The Korean overcame American Ernesto Escobedo 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2 in front of a raucous Court 10 crowd on Day 2 at the US Open.

The 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals champ, who is in the midst of a comeback from a back injury, needed three hours and 37 minutes to outlast Escobedo. He missed six months with the ailment and has been flying in his return to action. A qualifier this fortnight at Flushing Meadows, Chung now owns a 12-1 record since kicking off his comeback on the ATP Challenger Tour a month ago.

Watch: Chung Making Most Of Comeback

It was a fifth five-set win for Chung, who will next face Fernando Verdasco.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/us-open ... fils-cilic

[COA]

[COA]

USO19: zwycięski początek.

[Q] Hyeon Chung d. Ernesto Escobedo 3-6 6-4 6-7(5) 6-4 6-2

[Damian]

Next up for Nadal is South Korean Hyeon Chung, who saved a match point in a massive 1-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(4) comeback over No. 32 seed Fernando Verdasco of Spain. Chung trailed 2-5 in the final set and saved a match point at 5-6 before prevailing in three hours and 22 minutes. The 23-year-old, champion of the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals in 2017, returned to action in July after missing five months with a back injury.
Chung also won a five-set thriller on Tuesday over American Ernesto Escobedo. He's played a part in the fifth-set trend taking hold this week, with 23 matches going the distance in the first two rounds.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/us-open ... s-walkover

[arti]

[Damian]

Fifth-Set Frenzy: Chung's Comeback Win Highlights US Open Trend

Spoiler:

Zverev among the many players joining the marathon madness
Hyeon Chung is on the rise once again at the US Open, scoring his second consecutive five-set win on Thursday against Fernando Verdasco to reach the third round. The South Korean, champion at the inaugural 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals, is far from alone in his penchant for five-set battles this week, though.

Twenty-three matches went to a fifth set in the first two rounds in New York, almost guaranteeing that the US Open will have more matches going the distance than any other Grand Slam this year or in 2018.

Five-Set Grand Slam Matches (2018 & 2019)

Grand Slam
Total Five-Set Matches
2018 Australian Open 24
2018 Roland Garros 25
2018 Wimbledon 22
2018 US Open
17
2019 Australian Open
24
2019 Roland Garros
24
2019 Wimbledon
21
2019 US Open
23 (through two rounds)
Chung is among five players who doubled their pleasure in scoring back-to-back five-set victories to reach the third round. Joining him in the feat are sixth seed Alexander Zverev, Alexander Bublik, Paolo Lorenzi and Kamil Majchrzak.

Chung, Lorenzi and Majchrzak showed supreme fitness by also weathering three matches in the qualifying draw. The South Korean's win over Verdasco, which involved saving a match point at 5-6 in the final set, was one of four matches so far this week to conclude in a fifth-set tie-break.


Meanwhile, Zverev has proven to be the last opponent anyone wants to face in a final set at a Grand Slam. He boosted his fifth-set record at majors this week to 12-5, winning nine of his past 10 matches that went the distance.

You May Also Like: Marathon Man Zverev Outlasts Tiafoe In Five
The South Korean spent a minute under seven hours on court in his first two rounds, proving he’s fully recovered from the back injury that sidelined him for five months this season. Chung returned to action on the ATP Challenger Tour in July and won the first event of his comeback in Chengdu.

He'll need all of his remaining energy for a high-octane third-round clash on Saturday against second seed Rafael Nadal.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/chung-u ... -set-trend

[Kamileki]

[COA]

USO19: 3. runda US Open po raz pierwszy.

[Q] Hyeon Chung d. [32] Fernando Verdasco 1-6 2-6 7-5 6-3 7-6(3)

[arti]

[Damian]