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Agence France-Presse

Defending champion Roger Federer strolled into the Australian Open final in a bitter-sweet win after Chung Hyeon retired injured in their semi-final on Friday.
The Swiss star was leading 6-1, 5-2 when the South Korean called it quits with foot blisters, and will now face Marin Cilic in Sunday’s final.
Chung, the first South Korean to play in a grand slam semi-final, was treated in a medical timeout for the left foot problem two games earlier.
But it came as a big surprise when the 21-year-old walked to the net at 30-30 and trailing 5-2 in the second set after 62 minutes to concede defeat.
It put Federer into his seventh Australian Open final as he chases his sixth Melbourne title and 20th grand slam victory.

Federer leads 2014 US Open champion Cilic 8-1 in their meetings.
The Swiss maestro now has a 30-13 win-loss record in grand slam semi-finals and has yet to drop a set in this year’s Australian Open.
“You couldn’t tell until the end,” he said of Chung’s injury problems. “That’s probably why a lot of people are stunned [he retired].
“I could tell something was wrong before he took the injury timeout, but he has a great composure.
“I think he is already a great player, but we are talking next level excellence and I think he will achieve that.
“We will see much more of him. Top 10 for sure. The rest we will see.”

It was a muted semi-final with the Rod Laver Arena retractable roof closed for rain further improving Federer’s chances given his indoor record.
He broke Chung’s opening service and twice more to romp away with the first set in just 33 minutes as the Korean made a flurry of errors.
It got no better in the second set with Federer again breaking in the fourth game before the trainer was called on to the court to treat Chung for his foot blisters.
Chung only lasted a bit more than two games before pulling out to a stunned silence.
“In the second set I felt he was starting to get a bit slower, fighting with a blister,” Federer said.
“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.

“That’s 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 bitter-sweet.
“Obviously I’m incredibly happy to be in the finals, but not like this.”
Federer broke Chung’s serve four times off 11 break points and only had one break point on his own service.
The Swiss second seed hit 24 winners while Chung made 17 unforced errors in 14 games.


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Blisters cut Chung Hyeon’s fairy-tale Australian Open run short as Roger Federer eases into final

South Korea’s Chung Hyeon receives medical attention on his foot. Photo: AFP

epa06475082 Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Hyeon Chung of South Korea during the mens semifinal on day twelve of the Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, January 26, 2018. EPA-EFE/LUKAS COCH

Tennis - Australian Open - Men's singles semifinals - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia, January 26, 2018. Chung Hyeon of South Korea waves as he leaves after retiring from his match against Roger Federer of Switzerland. REUTERS/Thomas Peter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

epa06475085 Hyeon Chung of South Korea receives treatment as he plays Roger Federer of Switzerland during the mens semifinal on day twelve of the Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, January 26, 2018. EPA-EFE/DEAN LEWINS

Marin Cilic makes history for Croatia as he dismantles British hope Kyle Edmund en route to Australian Open final

Marin Cilic acknowledges the crowd after defeating Kyle Edmund. Photo: EPA

epa06473099 Kyle Edmund of Britain in action during his men's semi final match against Marin Cilic of Croatia at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2018. EPA-EFE/JULIAN SMITH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Tennis - Australian Open - Semifinals - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia, January 25, 2018. Spectators display Croatian flags after Marin Cilic of Croatia won against Kyle Edmund of Britain. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

epa06473115 Marin Cilic of Croatia in action during his men's semi final match against Kyle Edmund of Britain at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2018. EPA-EFE/JULIAN SMITH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Sport

Tennis

South Korean suffers with injury before calling it quits at 6-1, 5-2 down on Rod Laver Arena


Blisters cut Chung Hyeon’s fairy-tale Australian Open run short as Roger Federer eases into final

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}South Korean suffers with injury before calling it quits at 6-1, 5-2 down on Rod Laver Arena

South Korean suffers with injury before calling it quits at 6-1, 5-2 down on Rod Laver Arena