'A big Korean tennis match is here': Jung Hyun vs. Kwon Soon-woo, first head-to-head for Gwangju Open quarterfinals... "It will be so much fun"

*This content was translated by AI.

The big match has come to fruition.

'Tennis star' Jung Hyun (30, Gimpo City Hall, world No. 644) defeated Clement Chideck (France, world No. 179) 2-0 (7-5, 7-5) in the second round (round of 16) singles match of the Gwangju Open Challenger held on the 23rd at the Center Court of Jinwol International Tennis Stadium in Nam District, Gwangju.

With this victory, Jung Hyun advanced to the quarterfinals of an international tournament for the first time in a year. Jung Hyun also reached the quarterfinals at this same event last year.

On this day, Jung Hyun secured the victory by overcoming all seven break points in the 12th game of the first set, which he was leading 6-5.

Jung Hyun's quarterfinal opponent is another tennis star, Kwon Soon-woo (29, Republic of Korea Army, world No. 350). Kwon Soon-woo defeated Ilya Shishkin (Russia, world No. 227) 2-0 (7-6(1), 6-3) on the same day. Last January, Kwon Soon-woo also defeated Shishkin in the final of the Phan Thiet tournament (CH50), and he smiled once again in this return match just three months later.

Kwon Soon-woo did not allow a single break point in this match. His sharp serves landed consecutively, repeatedly disrupting Shishkin's rhythm. Shishkin committed 30 unforced errors, failing to properly respond to Kwon Soon-woo's strokes.

Both Jung Hyun and Kwon Soon-woo are flagship stars representing Korean tennis, but this is their first-ever head-to-head match. It is truly the biggest match of the tournament.

After the match, Kwon Soon-woo explained through the tournament organizing committee, "I think it will be so much fun right from the start. This is surprisingly the first time I've played against (Jung) Hyun in an official match. We've played practice matches, but we've never faced each other in an official match."

Kwon Soon-woo continued, "(Jung) Hyun has been an incredible player since he was young. I wasn't a standout player during my junior days. I remember striving to catch up not only to him but also to other top players like Hong Sung-chan, Jung Yoon-seong, and Lee Deok-hee."

Jung Hyun and Kwon Soon-woo are the only Korean players remaining in the Gwangju Open Challenger singles draw. Now, they will face off in a battle of pride for a spot in the quarterfinals.

The winner of the Gwangju Open Challenger singles will receive 75 ranking points and a prize money of 17,000 dollars (approximately 25 million won).

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*This content was translated by AI.