Korea's best coming back to the ASB Classic

Korea's best coming back to the ASB Classic

Media Release
Sunday 7 October

ASB Classic organisers are pleased to confirm the highly anticipated return of ATP Next Gen Finals champion Hyeon Chung to Auckland.

The top ranked Korean started off 2018 in blistering form. Off the back of his Auckland debut, the young gun beat world number four Alexander Zverev and his tennis idol Novak Djokovic to reach the semi-final of the 2018 Australian Open - a first for anyone from his homeland.

His confidence grew, and the results continued for the right-handed protégé, reaching five quarter finals (Auckland, Delray Beach, Acapulco, Indiana Wells, Miami) and another semi-final (Munich) in the first four months of 2018. The 22-year-old started off the year ranked 58, and in April broke inside the top 20, for a career high ATP ranking of 19.
Unfortunately, an ankle injury ruled him out of the middle part of the year making his current rank of 23 even more impressive.

Chung’s reputation is continuing to grow and he’s considered alongside Zverev (who he has a 2-0 record over) and Denis Shapovalov as the future of the men’s game. He won the inaugural ATP Next Gen Finals as the best 21-and-under player on the ATP Tour and is steadily chalking up wins against some of the biggest names on the tour.

ASB Classic tournament director, Karl Budge is pleased to welcome back Chung, who’s clearly one of the form players of 2018.

“Chung has lived up to the hype and the high expectations after winning the inaugural Next Gen ATP Tour Finals last year. Not only did he have his spectacular run at the Australian Open, he continued that form throughout the biggest tour events of the year.” said Budge

The defensive genius will be using the final four weeks of the ATP Tour to climb back into the top 20 and hit the ASB Classic in top form.

The ASB Classic will span for two weeks; the women's tournament kicking off on December 31 to January 6 followed by the men’s tournament from January the 7 to 12. Tickets are available for purchase through Ticketek either online, over the phone on (0800 842 538) or in person at one of the agencies listed on the event website.

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