Roger Federer on brink of 20th grand slam title after Hyeon Chung retires hurt in semi-final

ROGER Federer is just one win away from rewriting history on multiple fronts after spearing into a record seventh Australian Open final when Korean challenger Hyeon Chung’s tournament came to a heartbreaking end.

Roger Federer and Hyeon Chung after the Korean retired injured.

ROGER Federer is on the brink of becoming the first man to win 20 grand slam singles titles after spearing into a record seventh Australian Open final after Korean challenger Hyeon Chung capitulated with injury.

Imperious under Rod Laver Arena’s closed roof, Federer revelled in the indoor conditions to annihilate hobbled Chung, who retired when trailing 1-6 2-5 after 62 minutes.

A boorish crowd jeered the unfortunate Chung, who required treatment to a badly blistered left foot midway through the second set.

Roger Federer and Hyeon Chung after the Korean retired injured.

Extending his unbeaten run at Melbourne Park to 13 matches, Federer sympathised with his opponent.

“I couldn’t tell what was going on with my opponent but I guess I was too focused on trying to protect a lead, to be honest,” Federer said post-match.

“In the second set I felt he was starting to get a bit slower, fighting with a blister.

“I know he has had a problem with a blister for some time, but you don’t know how bad it is, really, and I’ve played with blisters in the past a lot, and it hurts a lot, and at one point it is just too much and you can’t take it anymore.

“When you realise there is no way you can come back and you make things really worse, it is better to stop.

“That’s why this feels bittersweet.

“Obviously I’m incredibly happy to be in the finals, but not like this.

Federer celebrates holding serve in the second set.

“He has played a wonderful tournament, so credit for him for trying so hard today again.”

Elated with his own performance, Federer predicted Chung’s meteoric rise would continue.

“Alone his attitude of fighting to the end, he showed great composure today,” Federer said..

“He is already a great player and he’s going to achieve next level excellence.

“He’s done very well already. I think he’s going to be a great, great player.”

The defending champion will chase a record-equalling sixth Norman Brookes Challenge Cup on Sunday against Marin Cilic, armed with a gaping 8-1 career tally against the Croat.

Chung receives medical attention on his blisters.

Yet to drop a set in six matches so far, history awaits on multiple fronts for an enduring genius still in the best form of a long and distinguished career.

The Swiss advanced to his 30th grand slam final and, at 36 years and 173 days, he will attempt to become the third oldest Open champion behind Ken Rosewall (37years, 62days) and Mal Anderson (36years, 306days).

If successful in the final, Federer will equal Novak Djokovic and Roy Emerson’s joint record of six Australian crowns.

Already the owner of eight Wimbledon titles, five US Open crowns and a single French Open trophy, Federer (19) has three more majors than nearest pursuer Rafael Nadal (16).

Only three players - Margaret Court (24), Serena Williams (23) and Steffi Graf (22) - have amassed 20 or more major singles titles.

Federer blazed through the first set in 33 minutes and was totally in command when Chung called for a trainer to treat blisters.

Ruthless and methodical, Federer smoked 24 winners and nine aces with only 15 unforced errors before Chung quit.

Federer was in vintage form.

Almost 15 years older than 21-year-old Chung, Federer extended a remarkable personal - and collective - Australian Open dominance continued.

From 2005, when Lleyton Hewitt was defeated by Russian Marat Safin, Federer and fellow “Big Four” members Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray have figured in every final since.

This is the sixth time Federer has stormed into a major final without dropping a set - the most recent was at Wimbledon last year, when he won the title with an unblemished sheet.

Federer has now contested 43 major semi-finals, 13 more than Jimmy Connors and Djokovic, from 72 grand slam tournaments.