Australian Open: Hyeon Chung too lively for Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open sojourn has been sensationally ended by emerging Korean star Hyeon Chung.

Hyeon Chung goes full stretch to return to Novak Djokovic in his sensational win over the six-time Australian Open champion last night. Picture: AFP

There was always an experimental feel to Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open sojourn that was sensationally ended by emerging Korean star Hyeon Chung last night.

Faces new but familiar in Andre Agassi and Radek Stepanek populated Djokovic’s coaching box and a modified service action was deployed to protect a troublesome elbow but also generate more power.

But after a sound, if unspectacular opening week, the six-time Australian Open champion’s rustiness was exposed during a 7-6 (4) 7-5 7-6 (3) loss to the exciting Chung.

It is the first time the most successful man at Melbourne Park has been beaten in straight sets at the venue since 2007.

And it seemed clear during the fourth round match that the Serbian may still need an oil check or two to assist with internal rusting.

He was pulled this way and that throughout a match that still lasted three hours and 21 minutes by an opponent who plays in a remarkably similar style.

The 21-year-old’s court coverage was superb, but he also proved capable of scintillating shotmaking.

For once on Rod Laver Arena, it was Djokovic who was dictated to and rarely was he able to impose himself.

While Agassi had declared the former world No 1 would not be here if he did not believe he could win a seventh title in Melbourne, the 30-year-old is clearly not yet at his peak physically.

The 12-time grand slam winner required treatment on the elbow, which forced him out of the game for the second half of last year, after dropping the first set.

He also showed signs of pain at other times as Chung showed poise that belied his age to reach a grand slam quarter-final for the first time.

Djokovic worked through the first week in familiar fashion but somewhere between a victory on Saturday and his clash last night, his radar went askew.

By the time the veteran found his range, the enterprising Chung had slipped four games clear.

Djokovic recalibrated and worked back into the first set, only for his forehand to go askew late in the tiebreaker.

The second set followed a similar pattern. The giant-killing Chung began brilliantly, only to relinquish his early dominance once again.

Hyeon Chung celebrates after holding serve and taking a 6-5 lead in the 3rd set. Picture: Michael Klein

But again the forehand betrayed Djokovic at the most critical moment, netting a crosscourt to slip two sets behind.

Chung said he tried to model his game on the way Djokovic played when learning the sport.

“I am really just happy. I did not know I would win this tonight. I am honoured to play with Novak and happy to see him on the tour,” he said.

“When I was young, I was trying to copy Novak, because he was my idol.

“I can’t believe this. Dreams come true tonight.”

Djokovic said the condition of his elbow deteriorated as the match went on, but said that should not detract from the performance of his rival.

“It was an amazing performance. He was a better player on the court tonight and he deserved to win, there is no doubt about it,” Djokovic said. “Whenever he was in trouble he came up with some amazing shots … and from the back of the court he was a wall.”

Chung is the first Korean player of either sex to reach a grand slam quarter-final.

As Djokovic was struggling to stay alive, Tennys Sandgren was lengthening the finest hour in a career that had largely been played on the back courts.

Prior to arriving in Melbourne, the Tennessean had never won a grand slam match.

Now he has four, including the scalp of former Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka, after dumping fifth seed Dominic Thiem 6-2 4-6 7-6 (4) 6-7 (7) 6-3.

A former collegiate player in the US, the 26-year-old finished inside the top 100 for the first time last year and played grand slam matches in Paris and New York.

Sandgren, whose given name hails from his great-grandfather, had earned just under $600,000 before the Australian Open. He is now guaranteed to depart Melbourne a millionaire, at least when it comes to earnings, for quarter-finalists pocket $440,000.