"World Ranking Means Nothing to Me"

For the first time as a Korean player, Lee Hyung-taik moved up into the third round of Wimbledon 2007. Now, Lee is posted at the 51st spot on international rankings.

For more than seven years, Lee has stood lonely as a Korean player on the world stage. Tonight, Lee will play in a match against Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic to advance to the round of 16. Berdych now ranks 11th in the world.

Back in 2000, Lee succeeded in moving into the round of 16 in the U.S. Open Tournament. But this January, Berdych shut out Lee in the first round of the Australian Open. “I thought I had to win. That was why I lost. I will not think about anything. I will just concentrate on the match and do what I have to do,” said Lee.

A consecutive three-time champion of the French Open, Rafael Nadal also successfully moved forward from the second round.

In the women’s singles, 2004 champion Maria Sharapova and 2005 champion Venus Williams safely advanced into the third round. Unless something unexpected happens, the two are likely to vie against each other in the round of 16.

kjs0123@donga.com