Karen Khachanov

Karen Abgarovich Khachanov, a silver medallist at the Tokyo Olympics, is a massively talented Russian player who has already won four ATP singles titles. It also includes an incredible Paris Masters title from 2018. After reaching the quarterfinals of the 2019 French Open, he achieved his career-high singles ranking of World No. 8 in July that year. Khachanov began playing tennis at the age of three and decided to become a professional player at the age of twelve. In July 2013, he won the Under-18 European Championship in Switzerland. A year later at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics, he won a silver medal in doubles with Andrey Rublev. Even though they were defeated in the final by Brazilians Orlando Luz and Marcelo Zormann, the potential shown by both players has been clearly evident for others to see. They both have made a name for themselves in the tennis circuit and are still going strong.

Khachanov made his Davis Cup debut for Russia in 2013, and at the age of 17 years and 157 days, he surpassed Mikhail Youzhny as the youngest Russian tennis player in the pro series. He defeated South African Dean O'Brien to help Russia advance in the 2013 Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group I. Khachanov took some time to settle in at the top level, but it was not long before he started to get the desired results. 

At the 2016 Chengdu Open, he finally had his watershed moment. He reached his first ATP Tour final, defeating Joao Sousa, Adrian Mannarino, Feliciano Lopez, and Victor Troicki. Thereby, Khachanov became the first Russian to reach an ATP singles final since Mikhail Youzhny, who defeated David Ferrer in the final of the 2013 Valencia Open 500. Khachanov eventually ended up winning his first ATP tournament in three sets, defeating Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

He carried his recent form into the 2017 French Open. After beating Nicolas Jarry, Tomas Berdych and John Isner, he reached the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. However, the Russian was unable to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal, losing to Andy Murray. 

The following year turned out to be extra special for the 25-year-old player. He won his second ATP title at Open 13 in Marseille, France, in the first half of 2018. The Russian had registered some notable results that year. He entered the fourth round of Wimbledon and reached the semi-finals of a Masters 1000 tournament for the first time in his career, at the Canadian Open. Besides, Khachanov also helped Team Russia to progress through the 1st round play-off of the Europe/Africa Zone Group I by winning both matches and securing Russia a place in the World Group. His greatest triumph, however, came later in the year.

He capped off the year by winning his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the Rolex Paris Masters, defeating Filip Krajinovic, Matthew Ebden, World No. 9 John Isner, World No. 5 Alexander Zverev, World No. 8 Dominic Thiem, and memorably against World No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Thereby, he became the first Russian tennis player to clinch a Masters 1000 final since Nikolay Davydenko in the inaugural 2009 Shanghai Masters.

He also enjoyed an impressive run in the recently concluded Summer Games in Tokyo. Khachanov advanced to the semi-finals of the Olympics, defeating Yoshihito Nishioka, James Duckworth, Diego Schwartzman, and Ugo Humbert. He then went past Pablo Carreno Busta in straight sets to secure at least a silver medal. In the gold medal match, however, he was defeated by Alexander Zverev.

Regarded as an aggressive baseliner, Khachanov is known for his hard-hitting groundstrokes and serve. Aiming to be offensive, he dictates the rallies using serves or his efficient forehand. His defensive game is a bit weaker compared to his aggressive play – it is something the Russian player needs to work on.

Grand Slam singles record:

Australian Open: 3R (2019, 2020, 2021)

French Open: QF (2019)

Wimbledon: QF (2021)

US Open: 3R (2018, 2020)