Karen Khachanov Saves Five Match Points to Claim Dramatic Victory at ATP Tournament in Almaty
- Author: Vahe Hakobyan
- Sportaran
Russian tennis player of Armenian descent Karen Khachanov secured a dramatic victory in the second round of the ATP 250 tournament in Almaty, Kazakhstan, advancing to the quarterfinals.
On October 22, the 30-year-old Khachanov, ranked world No. 25 in the ATP rankings, faced Czech player Tomáš Macháč, who is ranked No. 72.
The thrilling encounter lasted 2 hours and 32 minutes and ended with Khachanov winning in three sets, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7).
The Russian player comfortably took the opening set, but Macháč fought back to level the match in the second. The deciding set produced an intense battle, with the Czech player earning several opportunities to close out the match.
Khachanov managed to save five match points, keeping his hopes alive and forcing a deciding tie-break. When it mattered most, Karen held his nerve to win the tie-break 9-7 and secure a remarkable victory.
During the match, Khachanov fired 14 aces and converted two of his six break-point opportunities.
In the quarterfinals, Khachanov will face the winner of the match between Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik and Hungary's Fábián Marozsán.
Khachanov had previously defeated Japan's Rei Sakamoto in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, in the opening round of the tournament.