Roger Federer retains No 1 ranking with victory over Hyeon Chung

Roger Federer: Greatest tennis player of them all?

Shahida Jacobs
March 16, 2018

Roger Federer is still on course to successfully defend his Indian Wells crown after beating Hyeon Chung in the quarter-final.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner brushed Chung aside 7-5, 6-1 and the victory helped him to reach a couple of milestones as it was his 16th win of 2018, which equals his best-ever start to a season, and also ensured he stayed top of the world rankings.

Federer had the early advantage as he was 3-0 up after breaking in the second game, but the South Korean broke back in game four only to lose his serve in the 11th game.

It was one-way traffic in the second set with two breaks of serve and the victory was Federer’s 16th consecutive win of 2018, having also won the Australian Open and Rotterdam Open.

He also achieved the feat in 2006, but he will get a chance to better the record when he faces Borna Coric, who beat seventh seed Kevin Anderson, in the semi-final.

“Twelve years ago, a long time ago. I don’t know. What was I doing back then?” he asked. “I don’t even remember what tournament I played first up and won.

“I guess I had a similar good start to the year. Back then I was on this massive streak of winning 30, 40-plus matches. It had already started the year before that, which this time it didn’t. I had to get it going again in Australia.

“It’s a great start. Hopefully I can do one more and beat my best streak on Saturday.”

Croat Coric came from a set down to beat Anderson 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) and secure his first win over the South African.

“I didn’t start very well. He was hitting the ball very big, and I just couldn’t find my rhythm on the ball,” Coric said.

“I started going more for the serve. And then I broke him earlier in the second set, which was really helpful.

“In the third, again, I knew it’s one break, it’s two or three points that are going to decide, and that’s what happened.”