[US Open] Lee Hyung Taik reaches 3rd round

Lee Hyung Taik, Samsung Securities, has opened a new era in Korean tennis.

The 2nd round of the men`s singles bracket at the U.S. Open, which is the last major tennis tournament for the year, was held at the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.

Lee, ranked 182nd worldwide, defeated 13th seed Franco Squillari of Argentina 3-0 (7-6, 7-5, 6-2) to reach the 3rd round. His world ranking was boosted to 130th.

In the 4th round, he will have to play Tommy Haas, ranked 38th in the world, who beat the world number 67, Rainer Schuttler of Germany. If Lee wins in the 4th round, he may face Pete Sampras, the holder of 13 major titles, in the quarterfinals.

Kim Jong-Seok kjs0123@donga.com