Young new faces in the QFs of 2018 Australian Open
As the 2018 Australian Open nears its end, the tournament has sprung its share of surprise winners and upsets. From under-the-radar performances of Britain's Kyle Edmund making it to his first Grand Slam semis, to Elise Mertens reaching the last four in her first Australian Open appearance, here are the young new players who made it to the last eight of the slam.
Britain's Kyle Edmund stuns Dimitrov to advance into Semis
Kyle Edmund, the 23-year-old Briton, stunned the 3rd-seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, to advance into his first Grand Slam semi-final. Edmund, on his way to semis at Melbourne, beat the US Open finalist Kevin Anderson and in defeating Dimitrov he had his first victory against a top 10 player. He has no ATP titles and has not even reached any ATP final.
Elise Mertens shocks number 4 seed Elina Svitolina
Belgium's Elise Mertens reached her first slam semis beating world number 4 Elina Svitolina in straight sets 6-4, 6-0. The 22-year-old un-seeded Melbourne park debutant, who idolizes Kim Clijsters, beat the likes of Daria Gavrilova, Alize Cornet, and Petra Martic and hasn't dropped a set in the tournament. She is set to face the winner of Caroline Wozniacki vs Carla Suarez Navarro in semis.
Hyeon Chung, the giant killer
Hyeon Chung, 21, is one player who has made a huge impression at the Australian Open with his exciting talent. The South Korean player beat Alexander Zverev and six-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic on his way to quarterfinals. Beating Djokovic in straight sets, Chung with his returning ability and court coverage was a replica of his idol Novak.
Second straight slam with two male first timers in Semis
With Edmund in semis, and one out of Chung and Sandgren sure to reach semis, Australian Open is the second straight major with two first timers in Men's slam semis. Kevin Anderson and Pablo Carreno Busta were two first timers at 2017 US Open semis.
Underdogs and special mentions
Tennys Sandgren, the 97-ranked journeyman player advanced into the quarter-finals beating world number 5 Dominic Thiem. The 26-year-old underdog will go against Chung in quarter-final. Diego Schwartzman, 15-year-old Marta Kostyuk, Hsieh Su-Wei are some players who made their mark in the tournament.
