Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Chung taking new rules in stride in Milan

South Korea's Chung Hyeon is showing a liking for the rule innovations being tested at the Next Gen ATP finals in Milan, where he is so far unbeaten.

Hyeon Chung
South Korea's Hyeon Chung has maintained his unbeaten run at the ATP Next Gen tournament in Milan. (AAP)

South Korea's Chung Hyeon has maintained his 100 per cent record at the Next Gen ATP Finals with a crushing victory over Russian Andrey Rublev to surge ahead in Group A.

The 21-year-old is showing a liking for the rule innovations being tested in Milan and proved too solid for Rublev, the highest ranked player in the ATP's new showcase event for the best players aged 21 and under.

The world No.54, easy to spot in his distinctive white spectacles, won 4-0 4-1 4-3(1) to follow up his defeat on Tuesday of Canadian Denis Shapovalov - sealing a semi-final spot with a round-robin match to spare.

Chung finished off Rublev in just over an hour, slightly longer than it took Karen Khachanov to beat American Jared Donaldson 4-1 4-3(2) 4-2 in Group B.

Donaldson is still without a set after two matches.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"I'm so happy to get my second win here, I had never played Rublev before," Chung said.

"I've never played with these rules before but I like them."

Shapovalov notched his first win when he beat Italian wildcard Gianluigi Quinzi 4-1 4-1 3-4(5) 4-3(5).

The 18-year-old raced through the opening two sets against his fellow former junior Wimbledon champion before the match burst into life when the Italian found another gear.

Despite double-faulting on match point, however, Shapovalov claimed victory and will need to beat Rublev to reach the semis.

The eight-man tournament, showcasing the players tipped to be the future of men's tennis, is using radical new rules aimed at increasing the popularity of the sport.

As well as sets being played only to four games, there are no advantage points, shot clocks to enforce the 25-second between points rule, no let serves and coaching via headphones at the end of sets.

Line judges have also been removed for the tournament with Hawk-Eye technology calling lines using an automated voice.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world