Jung Hyun advances round of 16 at ATP tour event in Brisbane

Jung Hyun (20), the flagship player of Korean tennis, got off an energetic start for the 2016 season, dispelling concern over lackluster performance due to a hiatus. Jung, who ranks 51st in global rankings, advanced to the round of 16 players on Monday by beating Australian Sam Groth, who ranks 60th, in the first round competition of men’s single at the Brisbane International, the first event of this season’s ATP World Tour in Brisbane, Australia.

Actually, Jung did not have high expectations for this event. He had been away from tennis for more than two months to receive four-week military training in November last year, which substituted his compulsory military duty for winning a medal at an international championship. After completing the military duty, he focused on rebuilding his physical condition at Jincheon Training Camp in December, and fast recovered his sense for games, displaying a positive outlook over his performance in this season.

Jung said, “I was worried about my condition, but when I actually started the game, I felt as if my body was lighter and was able to take steps faster than I expected.” Coach Yoon Yong-il, who is supporting Jung, said, “I am happy because we got off a good start. Since Jung’s physical condition is not 100 percent optimal just yet, I will help him continue to enhance his condition until the Australian Open in mid-January.”

Jung will hold on Wednesday a match against Croatia`s Marin Cilic, who ranks 13th in world rankings and was the winner of the 2014 U.S. Open, in his bid to advance to the quarterfinals. Attention is focusing on whether Jung will be able to wipe out disgrace of former defeat to the Croatian who gave him two losses last year after after playing tight matches.

kjs0123@donga.com