The President of the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF), Shamil Tarpischev, weighed in on Karen Khachanov’s chances before the quarterfinal clash with Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros, offering a candid assessment that mixes respect for Djokovic with a caution about the unique pressures of a major surface. Tarpischev spoke to TASS, outlining his view that despite a prior victory by Khachanov in France, that win happened in very different conditions and at a different moment. In the big tournament, the dynamics shift dramatically, and he suggested that Karen’s odds are not favorable when faced with Djokovic on the Paris clay this year.
Khachanov is scheduled to meet Djokovic on June 6, a match that pits a top Russian player against one of the game’s greatest competitors on a surface that often amplifies stamina and tactical nuance. The buildup to that quarterfinal has featured a mix of veteran insight and a young athlete’s growing resilience, with both players recalling past encounters and current form as the pivotal factors in predicting the outcome.
Looking back at Khachanov’s pathway through the championship, he advanced from the round of 16 by defeating Lorenzo Sonego, the Italian veteran who has been ranked outside the very top tier in recent seasons but can still trouble strong opponents with his variety and persistence. The match finished with Khachanov taking the final set in a tense tiebreak, after earlier dropping the first set 1–6. The sequence of sets was tightly contested: Khachanov rallied to win 6–4, then captured the decisive breaker 9–7 before sealing the match 6–1 in the fourth set. The total duration of this encounter extended beyond three hours, underlining the physical and mental demands of late-stage Grand Slam tennis. This extended battle highlighted Khachanov’s endurance and his ability to adapt under pressure, qualities that will be crucial in confronting Djokovic’s experience and consistency.
In the broader arc of the tournament, Sonego’s progress to meeting Khachanov coincided with a notable run by the Russian No. 2 seed Andrey Rublev, who was eliminated by Sonego in the third round. Rublev’s exit underscored the depth of competition and the way roller-coaster momentum can shape outcomes on the Paris courts, where every match builds toward a climactic finish. The landscape of the event thus framed Khachanov’s quarterfinal test as not merely a clash of rankings but a battle of strategic improvisation, timing, and nerve under bright lights and a crowded crowd.
Alexei Selivanenko, who previously served as Vice-President of the Russian Tennis Federation, offered his perspective on the Djokovic matchup, drawing from a long career spent observing Serbia’s ace on courts around the world. Selivanenko suggested that Khachanov’s style could present substantial difficulty to Djokovic, who remains a pinnacle opponent for anyone facing him in Paris. The veteran observer pointed to Khachanov’s ability to mix power with precision, to read Djokovic’s patterns, and to push the pace when the opportunity arises. The view anchored on the belief that the fourth Grand Slam quarterfinals would demand a blend of aggressive serving, smart net play, and the patience to weather Djokovic’s consistency from the baseline. This assessment reflected the ongoing belief within Russian tennis circles that Khachanov possesses the tools to test even the best players, particularly on clay when movement and balance are at a premium, and the likelihood of stretching a match into lengthy rallies that favor the more adaptable athlete.
Djokovic’s presence in Roland Garros, coupled with Khachanov’s recent performances, created a narrative of concentration, persistence, and the constant possibility of an upset. The quarterfinal stage often rewards players who can sustain aggression over long exchanges, while also preserving enough discipline to close out sets when the momentum shifts. The anticipation surrounding the upcoming match was built on a layered mix of respect for Djokovic’s career achievements and confidence in Khachanov’s continued development as a global contender across Major events. Fans and analysts alike watched for the key signals: first-serve effectiveness, return depth, and the ability to convert break chances on clay, where a fraction of a second can determine the course of a rally and, ultimately, a set. In this context, Khachanov’s performance in the earlier rounds was viewed as a testament to his readiness to withstand the pressure of a high-stakes quarterfinal, while Djokovic’s experience remained a defining feature that opponents must carefully manage to avoid getting overwhelmed early in a match. The overall sentiment was that the match would be a true test of tactical versatility, physical stamina, and mental composure under the weight of expectations from both sides of the net. The outcome would inevitably shape the narrative not only for the rest of Roland Garros but for the broader discussion about contenders from the Russian tennis circuit in the season ahead. The eyes of the sport remained fixed on the Paris court, where the game’s great rivalries unfold and where each player writes another chapter in a season defined by perseverance and strategic evolution.