Carlos Alcaraz showed clear progress early in the match, turning the third game of the tournament into a showcase of his improved game. After a tougher outing against Nicola Kuhn and a solid display against Krajinovic that hinted at potential yet still left room for growth, the Murcian found his rhythm against Karen Khachanov. By all indications, this was expected to be the toughest test Alcaraz would face in the event, as Khachanov sat at number 26 in the Russian ATP standings and had delivered strong performances in the rounds leading up to this meeting.
When Alcaraz found the level of play from the opening set, very few players in the world could match him. He demonstrated his dominance with a 6-0 set in just 26 minutes, controlling the tempo from the very start. Khachanov entered the match out of sorts, unable to anchor his serve the way he usually does, and he compounded the issue with a couple of early errors. The pattern set early in the set, and Alcaraz did not let up, reading Khachanov’s serve and movement with precision that left the Russian struggling to impose his usual rhythm.
Alcaraz ruled the court with a well-balanced blend of forehand power, sharp backhand angles, and solid baseline play. He mixed in the traditional dropshot to keep Khachanov guessing and did not shy away from competing at the net when opportunities arose. At times he even lofted a balloon shot over the reach of the 1.98-meter-tall opponent, a reminder of his willingness to experiment and keep Khachanov uncomfortable.
Khachanov fought to find a foothold but found it increasingly elusive as the match progressed. Desperation is a tough frame of mind to play through when a rival is clicking, and Khachanov could not generate the necessary level to turn the momentum. The harsher reality for him was that Alcaraz grew more confident with every exchange, and the Russian options that usually keep him in the point became less reliable as the set wore on.
Same story in the second arm
Khachanov attempted to reestablish his pride by elevating his level at the start of the second set. He secured his first serve in the opening game, signaling a shift in mindset and a willingness to take control. The early success gave him a brief spark, and he pressed Alcaraz more fiercely, forcing some longer rallies and challenging the Spaniard to respond in kind. Yet the surge was not enough to overturn the balance, and Alcaraz remained the more dangerous player on the court.
The first four games of the second set remained tightly contested at 2-2, but a pivotal moment arrived when Alcaraz called the first timeout of the set. The pause broke the rhythm in Khachanov’s favor and shifted the tempo back toward the younger star. From there, Alcaraz seized the advantage, delivering a sequence of efficient, high-quality points that extended a four-game run in his favor. He moved from 2-2 to 6-2, displaying the best form he had shown in quite some time. For Khachanov, the level highlighted the gulf between his best days and the version he faced on this day, with the Russian defense appearing overwhelmed by Alcaraz’s pace and precision. The Russians, it seemed, were well capable of defending rallies, but not at the pace required to deny Alcaraz when he was dialing in his shots.
As the match moved deeper into the evening, the sense grew that the outcome was headed in a clear direction. Alcaraz’s execution was clean, his movement was agile, and his shot-making remained varied and unpredictable. The Russian challenger, though stubborn and resilient, found little in the way of a sustainable plan to derail the momentum that had been built in the opening set. The crowd could feel the shift in energy as each blistering winner from Alcaraz seemed to puncture Khachanov’s resolve just a little more.
In the semi-finals, the winner of the duel between Alex Molcan and Borna Coric would be waiting for him. That match was scheduled for this Saturday and would take place on the center court at 18:30, presenting a fresh challenge and a new opportunity for Alcaraz to extend his impressive form. The path to the final appeared increasingly clear for the young Spaniard, who continued to demonstrate why he is regarded as one of the brightest talents in modern tennis, with a blend of power, touch, and strategic intelligence that makes him a formidable opponent for anyone on tour.