By Scoop Malinowski
Novak Djokovic played as well as he could have played last night vs Hyeon Chung but it was just not enough.
The same pattern held for the entire match. Hyeon in control but Djokovic desperately trying to fight back. Djokovic fell two breaks down early, but scratched and clawed to a tiebreaker which he lost.
Same patterns for the second and third. In the third set tiebreaker, Chung led 3-0 but Djokovic leveled it 3-3. Then Chung again asserted his superiority for 6-3 which he closed out at 7-4 with some electrifying shot making, movement and agility. One forehand stretch winner cross court off a deep Djokovic volley astounded Rod Laver Arena and Djokovic too.
I didn’t see any signs that Djokovic was hurt (elbow) or tired or far off his A game. He was fighting, roaring, exhorting himself, fist pumping and even glaring down Chung. The problem was Chung was better. Chung repeatedly stunned Djokovic with his power, accuracy, cleverness, defense, counter punching.
Chung said after Djokovic was the player he emulated in his formative years. And you began to wonder if this could be another model of how Sampras inspired Federer and ultimately inspired an even better, more complete version of himself.
It’s plausible now that Chung could eventually evolve into a more explosive, dynamic, superior version of the prime Djokovic, based on what we witnessed last night.
Djokovic, gracious as always in defeat, said that Chung clearly had the potential to win majors and reach the top ten, but after that, “it’s up to him.”
Chung does seem to have that extraordinary will and hunger to win, as he expresses on rare occasions with animated roars and dynamic fist pumps after especially important winning shots.
After the huge payday for winning Milan NEXTGEN Finals late last year, one might have expected Chung to ease up on his work ethic but the opposite appears to have happened. Chung worked extremely hard in Thailand in the off-season – he’s not complacent in the least with what he’s achieved so far. He wants a lot more and obviously he believes he’s capable of a lot more.
Last night’s spectacular 76 75 76 win over Djokovic indicates this unique talent is certainly capable of achieving all of the ultimate accomplishments in professional tennis.
AO · Hyeon Chung · Korea
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« Previous 1 2Andrew Miller · January 24, 2018 at 10:31 am
Clean as a whistle ball striking. Pop. Excellent placement. Underrated movement.
Doesn’t get up for the big matches. Undone by expectations? Depressed?
catherine · January 24, 2018 at 11:14 am
Don’t think it’s anything more complicated than Ka just not being at the same level as her opponents in big matches, or not on a regular basis. So she might shoot to No 1 and then tumble back down again. Simóna made a point of saying she could read K’s serve after the opening games and so started to get herself into the match. Simona’s retrieval and placement was better and she is a more fluent runner, maybe being smaller ? Can change direction faster.
Looking ahead, Halep and Kerber didn’t meet last year and while Angie was on her downswing Simona was improving. However, although sentiment makes me want to see Simona in the final the fact is Simo hasn’t faced the new improved Kerber and probably won’t have time to adjust. So Angie in SS. Then over Woz in the final.
Scoop Malinowski · January 24, 2018 at 11:20 am
Halep and Kerber are both red hot right now and extremely confident, may be at their career highest level right now. Both survived near death encounters with Davis and Hsieh, respectively. I expect a very very very intense hard fought epic classic, may the best woman win. Halep vs Kerber is most likely the real final.
catherine · January 24, 2018 at 12:18 pm
Simona might have the crowd behind her – I think spectators find her more simpatico than Angie and of course there will be a big Romanian cheering squad. Could make a positive difference or could add to the pressure.
(So often in both men’s and women’s events a semi is the real final.)
catherine · January 25, 2018 at 4:53 am
Well I was wrong wasn’t I?
And wrong about the crowd too.