#NextGenATP Chung, Khachanov Into Third Round
#NextGenATP stars Hyeon Chung and Karen Khachanov scored big wins on Thursday at Roland Garros to reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in their young careers.
Chung broke Denis Istomin seven times in scoring a convincing 6-1, 7-5, 6-1 win. The 21-year-old Korean only lost seven points on his first serve and was extremely efficient with his volleys, winning 12 of 13 trips to the net. He fired a backhand winner to wrap up the match after one hour and 51 minutes. Chung improves his FedEx ATP Head2Head Series over Istomin 2-1, including a win this April in Barcelona.
“I’m trying to focus all the time and enjoy myself on the court,” said Chung. “I’m mentally better than last year and a little stronger, which I think is the key.”
Chung has excelled on clay this season, reaching the semi-finals in Munich and defeating Alexander Zverev en route to a quarter-final finish in Barcelona. His top form has him at third in the Emirates ATP Race to Milan, which will determine who qualified for the inaugurual Next Gen ATP Finals from 7 to 11 November.
Fans of Asian tennis will be clamouring for a glimpse of Chung’s next match against eighth seed Kei Nishikori. This will be their first FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting.
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Khachanov picked up one of the biggest victories of his career in ousting 13th seed Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. The 21 year old was ruthless on serve, winning 88 per cent of his first serve points and not facing a break point in the contest. A single break in each set was all Khachanov needed to advance in two hours and 31 minutes.
“It feels great for me. It was a really good match on my side. I did everything we planned with my team and my coach, so I think that’s why the result came to me,” said Khachanov. “I like the way I was playing and the way I’m practising. I have to focus on what I do well and try to keep doing it in my next matches.”
After a tame start to 2017 that saw him go 3-10 in ATP World Tour events, Khachanov has come alive on the clay. He recorded his first Top 10 win against David Goffin in reaching the quarter-finals in Barcelona, and then replicated that feat last week in Lyon. Khachanov is currently sixth in the Emirates ATP Race to Milan.
In what will be a battle of big serves and forehands, Khachanov will next play 21st seed John Isner for a place in the second week.
Go inside the tournament at RolandGarros.com