MILAN, November 11, 2017

Hyeon Chung is the very first champion of the Next Gen ATP Finals, coming back from a set and a break down to win Saturday’s final in Milan 3-4(5), 4-3(2), 4-2, 4-2 over top seed Andrey Rublev.

Chung beat the Russian in the group stage on Tuesday but Rublev had the better start into the title match. When the reigning Umag champion started to get his forehand into play, Rublev gained his first four break points in the fourth game but Chung managed to save all of them. The Korean also saved set point in the sixth game and but the 20-year-old from Moscow had the better ending in the tie-break to clinch the opening set after 36 minutes.

Rublev also broke serve in the opening game of the second set after Chung had misplaced a backhand. The 21-year-old Korean broke the momentum in the sixth game, when Rublev was not able to serve the set out, missing 10 consecutive first serves. Chung took the second tie-break of the match 7-2 and secured the third set after one hour and 33 minutes.

After winning a 25-shots-rally to gain an early break in the fourth set, Chung was in complete control of the encounter. The World No. 54, who won 79 per cent of his first service points, converted his third championship point with a cross-court forehand winner after one hour and 57 minutes.

A look at how the talented Hyeon Chung made history in Milan… #NextGenATP pic.twitter.com/erRNnkbcY3

— Next Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) 11. November 2017

Chung, the first player from South Korea to win an ATP singles title since Hyung-Taik Lee captured the 2003 Sydney title, takes home a total prize money of $390,000.

“I don’t know what to say. Thank you to my team, family, everyone,” Chung told during the on-court ceremony.

“I was playing much better than him. I was dictating the match,” Rublev told. “Then I let my emotion go out and everything changed, because Chung was always there. He was always focused. He was always in the match. No matter if something went wrong, he was still fighting. I just lost my control and that’s it. I lost because of my head.”

Third Place Match Cancelled

Earlier in the day, Croat Borna Coric was forced to withdraw from his match for third place. This means Daniil Medvedev of Russia will end the Next Gen ATP Finals in third place.

Thank you so much Milan for such a warm support this week!
Great experience, great feelings, great atmosphere 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹
Ciao a tutti 👋🏻#NextGenATP #Lottosport #Fightsmart pic.twitter.com/t28g6WgOPf

— Daniil Medvedev (@DaniilMedwed) 11. November 2017