Karen Khachanov manages to take a blowout victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas in two sets (7-6 (4), 6-4) in their ATP Masters 1000 fourth round duel in Miami. The Russian will face Fran Cerúndolo or Sonego in the quarterfinals.
tournament draw
tournament results
A high level duel on this hot day in Miami. Stefanos Tsitsipas He was making his second appearance in the tournament, and he did so already to reach the quarterfinals, as Richard Gasquet withdrew from the tournament before his match in the second round. Then yes, he beat Cristian Garín in three sets, showing some very good tennis. His opponent today was Karen Khachanova player who usually lights up in important tournaments, now he wanted to be in the top eight of the Miami Open after his victories against the great Tomás Etcheverry and Jiri Lehecka.
There were six previous clashes between the two, and Tsitsipas led the all-time record winning 6-0. The last of them in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where the Greek won in four hands.
Hachanov returns to Masters 1000 quarterfinals
A great start to the game as expected with both players focusing well. The first games would get through quickly, both with a good feeling in the service. Hachanov resorted to the strategy of opening the Greek from the backhand side and then closing with a forehand cross or going to the net. Tsitsipas looked to get his first break opportunities in the seventh set, but the Russian’s first serves saved his clothes there. When there were no more break points in the final set, everything had to be decided in the semifinal. There it went from point to point again, but the Muscovite got a fundamental mini-break to get ahead. I was looking a lot for the flip side of Hellene and resisting almost being glued to the posters, Khachanov forced a forehand error from his rival and took the tiebreak 7-4.
The development of the second round was going to maintain a similar trend, although logically the Russian came out a little more energetic, considering the advantage he had been able to take. A break in the fifth game, in favor of Khachanov himself, already made an important difference to the numbers. The Greek would get a break point in the seventh game, but Karen managed to get it right with a great serve. Continuing this benefit, the Russian sealed his victory with a final 6-4 after a lazy mistake and a Tsitsipas backhand.
