The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    PHOTOSTrapped along borders

  • 3

    Korea wins gold in League of Legends competition; Faker tops podium

  • 5

    Trailblazing nonagenarian artist honored for redefining Korean fiber art

  • 7

    Pentagon's CWMD strategy document calls N. Korea 'persistent threat'

  • 9

    Builders vie for leadership in modular construction

  • 11

    Are 'finfluencers' helping or harming investment community?

  • 13

    Apple, China met to discuss Beijing's crackdown on western apps: WSJ

  • 15

    Swimmer Kim Woo-min captures 3rd gold in Hangzhou

  • 17

    What to know and what's next for Travis King, the American soldier who ran into North Korea

  • 19

    S. Korea eliminates N. Korea in women's table tennis doubles

  • 2

    BTS' Jungkook to drop 2nd solo single

  • 4

    VIDEOBustling Chuseok: Namsan Hanok Village immerses visitors in Korea's rich traditions

  • 6

    Opposition leader Lee again proposes talks with President Yoon

  • 8

    BTS' Jungkook drops 2nd solo single

  • 10

    Yoon hosts Chuseok luncheon for Korean atomic bomb victims in Hiroshima

  • 12

    Korea fails to be included on FTSE Russell's global bond index

  • 14

    Poll shows 79% of young Koreans agree on need to improve ties with Japan

  • 16

    INTERVIEW'Coexistence of different art hubs across Asia is necessary': Art Week Tokyo Director

  • 18

    Second release of Fukushima wastewater to start next week

  • 20

    S. Korea cruises past N. Korea in women's basketball

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
Sun, October 1, 2023 | 21:50
Canadian, British stars sing praise for S. Korean tennis player
Posted : 2022-09-29 11:02
Updated : 2022-09-29 11:04
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
In this AFP photo, Denis Shapovalov of Canada hits a return against Jaume Munar of Spain during their men's singles second round match at the ATP Eugene Korea Open at Olympic Park Tennis Center in Seoul on Sept. 28. Yonhap
In this AFP photo, Denis Shapovalov of Canada hits a return against Jaume Munar of Spain during their men's singles second round match at the ATP Eugene Korea Open at Olympic Park Tennis Center in Seoul on Sept. 28. Yonhap

Canadian tennis star Denis Shapovalov thinks South Korean player Kwon Soon-woo is "one of the nicest guys" on the ATP Tour. When it comes to facing Kwon in matches, though, Shapovalov has a whole different perspective.

"I love him as a person, hate him as a player," Shapovalov quipped after winning his first round match Wednesday at the ATP Eugene Korea Open in Seoul. "He's a great person, always super polite and always super fun to practice with him. And the matches that we've had have been absolute battles."

One of those battles came in January this year, in the second round of the Australian Open. Shapovalov outlasted Kwon 7-6 (8-6), 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (6-8), 7-5, 6-2, a five-set thriller that lasted four hours and 25 minutes. The Canadian left-hander had also defeated Kwon in the second round at the 2020 U.S. Open, needing three hours and 42 minutes for a four-set victory.

"To be honest, I really think he had me in Australia this year. It was a great match," Shapovalov said. "He was playing some unbelievable tennis. It was jaw-dropping for me a little bit sometimes, seeing how well he was playing. I was super lucky to get that win against him this year."

As the No. 4 seed at the Korea Open, Shapovalov, the 2021 Wimbledon semifinalist, got a first-round bye and beat Jaume Munar of Spain 7-5, 6-4, in the round of 16 Wednesday. Shapovalov and Kwon could meet in the semifinals in Seoul on Saturday.

But on that side of the bracket, No. 2 seed from Britain, Cameron Norrie, is the favorite to reach the final four and possibly beyond. The world No. 8 also has a 2-0 head-to-head edge over Kwon, though the South Korean pushed Norrie at the Madrid Open, an ATP Masters 1000 event, before losing 7-5, 7-5 in May this year.

In this AFP photo, Denis Shapovalov of Canada hits a return against Jaume Munar of Spain during their men's singles second round match at the ATP Eugene Korea Open at Olympic Park Tennis Center in Seoul on Sept. 28. Yonhap
In this EPA photo, Cameron Norrie of Britain, representing Team Europe, hits a shot to Taylor Fritz of the United States for Team World during their match at the Laver Cup at O2 Arena in London on Sept. 24. Yonhap

Norrie and Kwon have been as friendly with each other off the court as they have been competitive on it.

"Soon-woo is one of my best friends on the tour. And we get on great and he actually took us out to dinner a few times in the last couple years with his old coach," Norrie said. "He's a really good guy and a very talented player."

As the top-ranked British player who marched into the semifinals at this year's Wimbledon while riding the wave of local support, Norrie understands what it must be like for Kwon to be playing in front of home fans.

"I think it's very cool for him to be playing at home and experiencing that, and to be showing his people what he's capable of and letting them see him play live," Norrie said. "The Korean public don't get to do that and already he's inspiring so many Korean juniors and younger players to play. And hopefully, that gives them a chance to come to the tournament this week and get a chance to see him play, which is very cool because he's a really talented player."

Norrie, too, is quite the talent. In the semifinals at Wimbledon, Norrie took the first set against Novak Djokovic before dropping the next three against the eventual champion.

Norrie said he hopes to build on that Wimbledon experience and continue to build his season around the four Grand Slam events, adding that time spent facing big names like Djokovic is "invaluable."

"I feel like I need to improve in all areas but it's a good sign to be making semifinals and be taking a set off Djokovic," Norrie said. "I'm going to have to soak in all those moments and learn from those, and keep improving mentally and physically as much as I can." (Yonhap)



 
miguel
wooribank
LG
Top 10 Stories
1[INTERVIEW] Risk-averse culture is forcing daring creators to flee showbiz INTERVIEWRisk-averse culture is forcing daring creators to flee showbiz
2Koreans adapt to soaring food prices Koreans adapt to soaring food prices
3[PHOTOS] Trapped along borders PHOTOSTrapped along borders
4Education ministry prohibits parents from recording classes Education ministry prohibits parents from recording classes
5[VIDEO] Bustling Chuseok: Namsan Hanok Village immerses visitors in Korea's rich traditions VIDEOBustling Chuseok: Namsan Hanok Village immerses visitors in Korea's rich traditions
6Builders vie for leadership in modular construction Builders vie for leadership in modular construction
7Are 'finfluencers' helping or harming investment community? Are 'finfluencers' helping or harming investment community?
8Value, consumer goods, financial stocks expected to gain momentum after Chuseok holiday Value, consumer goods, financial stocks expected to gain momentum after Chuseok holiday
9[INTERVIEW] ROK-US alliance is win-win partnership: KUSAF chief INTERVIEWROK-US alliance is win-win partnership: KUSAF chief
10Over 30,000 protesters march for climate actions Over 30,000 protesters march for climate actions
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[INTERVIEW] 'Coexistence of different art hubs across Asia is necessary': Art Week Tokyo Director INTERVIEW'Coexistence of different art hubs across Asia is necessary': Art Week Tokyo Director
2M+ deputy director discusses Seoul's potential to challenge Hong Kong as Asia's art hub M+ deputy director discusses Seoul's potential to challenge Hong Kong as Asia's art hub
3Trailblazing nonagenarian artist honored for redefining Korean fiber art Trailblazing nonagenarian artist honored for redefining Korean fiber art
4[INTERVIEW] With '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting INTERVIEWWith '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting
5Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group