Russian tennis player Karen Khachanov has proven he can beat the world’s best players after advancing to the second week of a major tournament, according to 1995 Davis Cup finalist Andrei Chesnokov. Chesnokov highlighted the performance in remarks reported by state news agency TASS on Sept. 4, pointing to a high-profile victory that turned around a difficult stretch in the athlete’s season.
Turning the Tide Against Top-Four Opposition
Khachanov secured his place in the tournament’s next phase following a notable victory over fourth-ranked Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime during the second round of play. According to Chesnokov, the Russian competitor weathered early pressure after dropping the opening set, safely navigating break points and locking down his service games when it mattered most.
The veteran player noted that the third and fourth sets unfolded with relative comfort and control. “Karen played a very important match, after all, he beat the world number four,” Chesnokov told TASS. “He held his serves very timely after losing the first set, he had to play off break points. And Karen spent the third and fourth sets quite comfortably and confidently, he could have won even faster.”
Mental Shift and Pre-Tournament Struggles
Before arriving at the hard-court Grand Slam event, Khachanov had faced a string of disappointing results that weighed heavily on his form. Chesnokov observed a stark contrast between the player’s early-season struggles and his current competitive composure on the court.
“The way Karen played before the tournament and now is just night and day,” Chesnokov said. “Before this tournament, nothing was working out for him, and it was clear that he was worried about it. Now he has transformed and beat the fourth in the world, a very good victory, he proved first of all to himself that he can beat the best.”
Next Steps in the Tournament
With the second-round hurdle cleared against elite competition, Khachanov moves forward into the fourth round (1/8 finals) of the US Open. Remaining contenders prepare for the next round of matches.
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