After lacking two and a half years because of accidents, Hyeon Chung faces troublesome occasions on his comeback course! The previous Australian Open semi-finalist and world no. 19 didn’t play between September 2020 and April 2023.
He needed to begin from the start, which is rarely straightforward in each life and sport. The South Korean, who turns 29 subsequent yr, performed seven matches in 2023 and added the identical quantity earlier than this week in 2024.
Hyeon Chung, 2024 Takasaki Futures© Stream screenshot
Chung skilled one other blow at this week’s M15 Futures in Bali. Hyeon acquired a wild card and skilled a 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 loss to the 20-year-old Belarusian Erik Arutiunian in two hours and 16 minutes. The Korean recovered his sport within the second set.
He overcame a 4-1 deficit within the last set, returned to the optimistic facet and earned an opportunity to wrap up an entire comeback. Nevertheless, Hyeon squandered two break factors within the eleventh sport and suffered a break within the subsequent one to propel his rival by means of.
Hyeon Chung experiences one other robust loss
Erik claimed 4 factors greater than Hyeon, due to that ending run. The Belarusian denied seven of 9 break factors and delivered three breaks from eight probabilities, together with the decisive one within the closing phases of the decider. Arutiunian denied a break level within the first sport of the duel.
Chung faces points within the second, taking part in in opposition to three break factors and defending them to keep away from an early setback. The Korean erased two extra break factors within the sixth sport earlier than his rival transformed the third, constructing a 4-2 benefit and shifting in entrance.
Hyeon Chung, 2024 Takasaki Futures© Stream screenshot
Erik hit three aces within the seventh sport, cementing the lead and serving for the set at 5-3. The younger gun held at 15, wrapping up the opening set in fashion. Chung served nicely within the second set and stored the strain on the opposite facet. He clinched a break within the sixth sport and solid his first lead.
The extra skilled participant held at 15 in sport seven and made one other push on the return at 5-2. Arutiunian denied 4 set factors and held, lowering the deficit and prolonging the set. Nevertheless, Hyeon held at 30 in sport 9, wrapping up the set and forcing a decider.
Hyeon Chung, Seoul Challenger 2024© Stream screenshot
Erik broke within the fourth sport of the ultimate set and held at love a couple of minutes later for a 4-1 lead. The Korean pulled the break again within the seventh sport and supplied a maintain at love within the subsequent one for 4-4. Chung closed the tenth sport with three aces, locking the end result at 5-5.
The previous Main semi-finalist made a push on the return in sport 11 and created two break factors. Arutiunian saved them and delivered a vital maintain that gave him a lift. World no. 721 stepped in and secured a break within the twelfth sport, making a successful begin and sending the previous world no. 19 packing.
