For the second time in a month, Karen Khachanov has dumped Felix Auger-Aliassime out of a tournament after downing the Canadian in straight sets at the Canadian Open.
Khachanov, who is unseeded in Beijing, stormed to a 6-3, 6-3 victory in just over 70 minutes without facing a break point. It is only the second time this season he has beaten a top-10 player, with his other victory also being over Auger-Aliassime at the US Open earlier this month. He leads their head-to-head 4-2.
“Conditions were a little bit tricky today,” Khachanov told Tennis TV afterwards.
“The last few days, we were fighting with jet lag and it was pretty hot. Today, all of a sudden, it was windy, chilly and cold—kind of a different feeling to play on this court.
“I’m happy about my performance. I was focused on trying to keep the momentum going and trying to take the advantage when I had a chance. I had a few good return games. I kept my serve brilliant.”
Khachanov is currently ranked 27th in the world and has risen more than 20 places since August, following his run to the US Open semi-finals. He has been ranked as high as eighth in the world.
The triumph adds more frustration for Auger-Aliassime, who hasn’t beaten a top 30 player on the Tour since Wimbledon. He has won three of his last six matches played on the ATP Tour.
“Great results always give you confidence. Also, lifts the motivation,” Khachanov replied when asked if his US Open win over Auger-Aliassime played a role in his latest victory.
“It was a tough match for me, a tough match for Felix, in the first round. The draw is packed here, every match is a battle. I beat him a couple of weeks ago, (but) here (in China) there are different conditions. I approached this (match) thinking about what I was doing there (at the US Open), but at the same time trying to play the match from the beginning.”
Khachanov will play either Arthur Rinderknech or Alex Molcan in the second round.
