Russian tennis star Karen Khachanov continued his impressive run at the Roland Garros Grand Slam in Paris, advancing to the fourth round with a display of resilience and power on the red clay. His latest victory came in a hard-fought three-set match that showcased his ability to adapt under pressure on one of tennis’ most demanding surfaces.
In the third round, Khachanov, ranked 11th in the world, faced Australian wildcard entrant Tanasi Kokkinakis. The match demanded focus and fitness from both players, but Khachanov emerged with a 6:4, 6:1, 3:6, 7:6 (7:5) triumph. The victory sealed a four-set battle in which his endurance and tactical execution ultimately proved decisive, even as Kokkinakis pressed hard to force a longer contest.
Across the encounter, the match extended over three hours and forty minutes, underscoring the stamina required at a major event like Roland Garros. Khachanov used a mix of aggressive baseline play and well-timed slices to control points, while Kokkinakis offered moments of breakthrough that kept the match in suspense until the final tiebreaker.
Statistically, Khachanov logged five sets won on serve and converted five break opportunities from seventeen chances, reflecting selective aggression and patience at key moments. Kokkinakis produced six aces and a single double fault, adding a varied mix of pace and cunning to the exchanges, with no doubt a factor in the tiebreak pressure late in the fourth set.
Looking ahead, Khachanov’s next opponent will be the winner of the third-round clash between Italian Lorenzo Sonego and Russian Andrey Rublev. That potential matchup stands as a pivotal moment for Khachanov as he pursues a deep run on Parisian clay, where form, fitness, and mental composure are tested daily by a field rich with talent.
Historically, Khachanov has carried strong results into the later stages of Grand Slam tournaments, a pattern borne out by recent performances. Notably, he reached the semifinals at the most recent Grand Slam events in the United States and Australia, highlighting his capability to compete against the game’s elite across different surfaces and conditions.
In related news, it was reported that the International Tennis Federation did not sanction Novak Djokovic for his remarks in support of Kosovo Serbs during the Roland Garros tournament. The decision, attributed to an ITF statement, drew considerable attention as players continued to navigate the intersection of sport, politics, and global followings in Paris and beyond.