South Korean Chung Hyeon managed to hang around against World No. 1 Roger Federer a little longer this time around, but only just, as the Swiss maestro advanced to the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open 7-5, 6-1 on Thursday.
Chung’s fairytale run at the Australian Open in January came to a crashing halt when he retired with foot blisters while trailing Federer 6-1, 5-2 in their semifinal.
Federer was ruthless with his 21-year-old opponent on Thursday and took his unbeaten run this year to 16 matches, equalling his record from 12 years ago. Federer will next meet Borna Coric, who defeated World No. 9 Kevin Anderson 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(3).
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Meanwhile in the women’s section, Venus Williams swept aside Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3, 6-2 on a windy afternoon to set up a semifinal against rising Russian Daria Kasatkina, who beat former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber 6-0, 6-2 earlier in the day.
The victory put Venus back in the semifinals at Indian Wells for the first time in 17 years.
Venus, the tournament’s No. 8 seed, has split her only two career meetings with the 20th-seeded Kastakina.
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The Russian has been toppling big names all tournament long, also defeating U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens and world No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki on the way to the semifinals.
The results (quarterfinals): Roger Federer bt Chung Hyeon 7-5, 6-1; Borna Coric bt Kevin Anderson 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(3).
Women: Daria Kasatkina bt Angelique Kerber 6-0, 6-2; Venus Williams bt Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3, 6-2 .