Khachanov digs deep to reach French Open last eight – Times of India

Karen Khachanov showcased his remarkable resilience as he fought back to defeat Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego and secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the French Open for the second time.
The 11th seed from Russia overcame a slow start to triumph 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(7), 6-1 in a thrilling encounter on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
In the early stages of the match, Khachanov struggled to find his rhythm, while Sonego dominated proceedings. However, the Russian found his groove and utilised his powerful forehand to devastating effect, turning the tide in his favour.
The turning point of the match came in the third-set tiebreak when Sonego squandered a 4-0 lead, allowing Khachanov to mount a remarkable comeback.

“After the first set and a half, I was thinking, what am I doing here? He was hitting all over the place, so I decided all I could do was fight,” Khachanov said after the match.
The Russian player, who reached the semifinals in the last two Grand Slam tournaments in New York and Melbourne, showed his determination and fighting spirit to turn the match in his favour.
Sonego, on the other hand, had a strong serve throughout the match and did not face a single break point. He convincingly outplayed Khachanov in the first set, clinching it when the Russian netted a crosscourt forehand. However, Khachanov brought his best game in the second set, levelling the contest and setting the stage for a dramatic third set.
Sonego seemed in control as he surged to a 4-0 lead in the third-set tiebreak. However, his advantage slipped away as Khachanov fought back fiercely. Sonego saved one set point but ultimately served a double fault on the second, allowing Khachanov to seize the set.

The loss of the third set proved to be a momentum breaker for Sonego, while Khachanov’s determination and relentless performance propelled him to a dominant victory in the fourth set.
Looking ahead to the quarter-finals, Khachanov will face the winner of the match between two-time Roland Garros champion Novak Djokovic and Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas. The stage is set for an enthralling clash as Khachanov aims to extend his successful run in the prestigious French Open tournament.
(With inputs from Reuters)