Six-time former champion Novak Djokovic believes that Hyeon Chung has the potential to break into the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings following the South Korean’s 7-6(4), 7-5, 7-6(3) victory in the Australian Open fourth round. “He definitely has the game to be a Top 10 player, without a doubt,” said Djokovic. “How far he can go, that depends on him. Obviously, I respect him a lot because he's a hard worker, he's disciplined, he's a nice guy, he's quiet. You can see that he cares about his career and his performances. So I'm sure that he's going to get some really good results in the future.” [ALSO LIKE] Djokovic always felt he was fighting to get back into the...
Although one player must always come out second best in tennis, respect never fails to come first. Sunday night saw three hours, 26 minutes of bullet service winners and slices as sharp as a razor’s edge, but it was Grigor Dimitrov who carved out victory over Nick Kyrgios, shooting his way into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for the second straight year. As the two embraced at the net following one last glorious passing shot winner off the racquet of the Bulgarian, Kyrgios looked at Dimitrov, the opponent not seconds ago standing in his way of becoming the first Australian to lift the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup since Mark Edmondson in 1976, and spoke one word to him. “Believe,”...
Nick Kyrgios came up short against Grigor Dimitrov after four thrilling sets in their fourth-round encounter at the Australian Open on Sunday. But the Aussie already has his sights set on challenging the ATP World Tour's best for the rest of the season. Kyrgios, who was looking to follow up his title at the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp with a strong showing in Melbourne this fortnight, was quelled by an inspired performance by No.3 seed Dimitrov under the lights on Rod Laver Arena. For the 22-year-old Australian, it comes time once again to reckon with himself. Down? Yes. Out? Think again. “I lost tonight to one of the best players in the world,” said Kyrgios. “[I] went down swinging....
Another milestone victory for Roger Federer... Where have we heard that before? On Saturday, the Swiss added to his Australian Open legacy, notching an unprecedented 90th match win with a straight-set triumph over Richard Gasquet. The defending champion's success Down Under is astounding. For the 16th time in his career, Federer will make an appearance in the Round of 16 at Melbourne Park. In fact, the World No. 2 has not dropped a set through the first three rounds for the first time since 2014. Federer's love affair with the Australian Open began nearly two decades ago, when a precocious 18-year-old with a dazzling one-handed backhand stepped on Rod Laver Arena for the first time. It was the year 2000...
Despite losing in the semi-finals of the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp to a red-hot Nick Kyrgios, Grigor Dimitrov can hold his head high knowing he’s started 2018 with the same momentum that he finished a career year in 2017. Last season’s Nitto ATP Finals titlist and defending Brisbane champion gritted through two tough three-set matches before falling to Nick Kyrgios in a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 decision. Saving match points in his season-opening clash with John Millman, Dimitrov navigated Kyle Edmund in the quarter-finals in yet another two-and-a-half hour thriller. Against Kyrgios, however, the Bulgarian was unable to come up with the answer to his opponent’s cannonball serve and unpredictable patterns of play. “I'm glad at least I could play...
