Karen Khachanov is thru to his tenth ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final after defeating Casper Ruud on the Canadian Open.
The Russian star wobbled within the second set, surrendering a cushty result in path 4-5. Nevertheless, the 29-year-old held his nerve to assert victory, profitable 6-4 7-5.
Khachanov has established himself as an elite participant on the ATP Tour, reaching a number of Grand Slam quarter-finals and one ATP Masters 1000 title on the 2018 Paris Masters.
The 29-year-old is thru to a different Masters quarter-final in Toronto after defeating Ruud. He’ll face younger American star Alex Michelsen, who defeated compatriot Learner Tien within the spherical of 16.
With victory over Ruud, Khachanov broke an undesired streak courting again to November 2024.
Karen Khachanov breaks 11-match streak held since 2024 Paris Masters
Regardless of being ranked 16 on this planet, Karen Khachanov has struggled in latest occasions to defeat gamers within the higher echelons of the ATP Tour.
In actual fact, he had not overwhelmed an ATP prime 20 participant in 11 matches, courting again to November 2023.
As per OptaAce, Khachanov’s victory over Ruud snapped an 11-match dropping streak towards ATP prime 20 opponents, with the Russian’s final win coming towards Grigor Dimitrov on the quarter-final stage of the 2024 Paris Masters.
In that match, Khachanov reached the semi-finals earlier than dropping to Frenchman Ugo Humbert in three units.
After breaking the streak in Canada, Khachanov might be seeking to declare his second ATP Masters 1000 title.
If he can beat the red-hot Michelsen, Khachanov will arrange a troublesome match towards both primary seed Alexander Zverev or defending Canadian Open champion Alexei Popyrin; who set a brand new Open Period file together with his victory over Holger Rune.
Khachanov’s near-perfect serving
Karen Khachanov was merely unstoppable on his first serve-points towards Casper Ruud.
Regardless of struggling to make his first serves, touchdown solely 56 per cent, Khachanov solely misplaced one level on his first serve throughout your complete match.
This implies he received 97 per cent of his first serve factors towards Ruud.
Chatting with the Tennis Channel after the match, Khachanov mentioned this explicit statistic, agreeing with the host, who mentioned it was ‘pretty much as good as a serving day as you may presumably have.’
He mentioned: “That’s true. I believe to be sincere with you, possibly first time it occurred in my profession, that I misplaced just one level on the primary serves.
“So, as a result of the proportion of the primary serves was not as excessive. That’s usually, we’re to be 65, 68 [percent], possibly near 70, that’s superb. And at present was like 56, 57 per cent.
“However factors profitable, ultimately it issues loads, so I can’t complain about that stat as effectively.”
