Khachatte!

Manhandled by Karatsev and not good in the game, Kacha was clutch again and got out of a good quagmire by winning set 3 in the tie-break before seeing Karatsev give up.

If you only knew how many times this season I've seen Khachanov be the weakest on the court and still win! He is so strong in the head that you have to seize the slightest opportunity to kill him otherwise he will be the one to kill you. Against Karatsev he served well but the rest was so messy! A forehand not in place (surprising coming from him), a lack of accuracy in the short game and above all an atrocious return quality. The number of second balls where he found himself caught by the rebound and made a mistake is inexcusable at his level. But in the end it's him who wins this match and nothing says that tomorrow he won't be better. That's why I'm not jumping to Halys's side because even if he plays better tomorrow he could lose, so be careful. The Frenchman still seems in excellent form in this tournament with well-conducted qualifiers and a dismantling of Eubanks today. If he maintains this quality of service and this level in the game he can overthrow Khacha I am convinced, he will also have to be realistic and killer at the slightest opportunity!