Match shot: Khachanov moves closer to the final of the US Open
Karen Khachanov beat Alexander Bloks in the quarterfinals of the US Open. The Belgian, who complained of health problems, withdrew during the third game. Thanks to this success, the Russian made it to the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the third time in his career (he previously reached this stage at the US Open 2022 and the Australian Open 2023). There he will have to play with the first seed Alexander Zverev, to whom Khachanov is losing 6-3 in personal meetings. Mirra Andreeva failed to repeat Karen's success. In the fight for the top 4, our young star lost in three sets to her most uncomfortable opponent, Coco Gauff. The result looks disappointing, because Conchita Martinez's ward missed two matchballs.
Repeat Canada
In the quarterfinals, Khachanov beat Alexander Bloks, a rising tennis star. After the fourth round game, the Belgian talked about health problems, hinting that he might not play at all for the next match. As a result, Bloks still appeared on the court. He lost the first two sets (the second in a serious fight), and after Karen's break he decided to withdraw in the third game.
"During the match, I could only laugh at what was happening, because every time something new happened," the Belgian admitted at a press conference. — I felt pain in my rib, then in my leg. In the second set, a nerve in my back got pinched. I couldn't move properly anymore, and that only made it worse.
Khachanov also noticed his opponent's problems.
— On the one hand, I understood that I was dominating from the very beginning. On the other hand, I saw that it was getting harder and harder for him," Karen commented on the results of the game. — Mixed feelings. I was better, he was in pain, I didn't want to shout "camon" or something like that. However, I still needed to maintain my energy levels. I wish him a speedy recovery.
Khachanov is reaching the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the third time in his career. In 2022, the Russian made it into the top four at the US Open, but then lost to Norwegian Kasper Ruud. This time the opponent is even more titled. Karen will face Alexander Zverev, who has already won Roland Garros this season and played in the Wimbledon finals.
"Let's just say Sasha is in hot shape right now," Khachanov summed up. — We had great matches with him, he leads 6-3 in personal meetings. These are tough battles, and last year I was able to beat him in Canada. It was very important to defeat Zverev after several defeats. Let's see who will be stronger this time. I feel good and confident in my tennis.
At the US Open, the 30-year-old Russian eliminated third seed Felix Auger—Alliassim in four sets and 14th racket of the world Lerner Tien in five sets. The latter, by the way, beat Blocks in the decisive match of the Next Generation ATP Finals 2025. It turns out that Karen alternately beat the winner and finalist of the ATP youth final tournament. And who will remember now that before his trip to New York, Khachanov lost four matches in a row and dropped to 50th place in the ranking. Thanks to getting into the top four in New York, the Russian will return to the top 30, but how would you like to take a swing at the finals!
A serious barrier
Russia's first racket Mirra Andreeva was close to finally beating American Coco Gauff. In the quarterfinals of the US Open, our tennis player shocked the stands with a powerful first set, she could put the squeeze on her opponent in the second, but in the decisive draws luck was on the side of the hostess of the court. Mirra missed two matchballs, and the American was able to turn the match into a decisive game, which she took without unnecessary nerves.
— What would I change in my game if I could replay the match? I probably should have taken more risks," Andreeva said at a press conference following the quarterfinals. — I think at the matchballs I just wanted to start a long draw, to play more reliably. Everything could have turned out differently if I had tried to act a little more boldly and seen what would happen. I think Coco is just more patient than me. At some points, she makes fewer mistakes. And of course, she returns a lot of balls. Because of this, I started rushing and made more mistakes. I think it's worth paying attention to this and taking it into account in the next matches that I will play against this opponent.
In fact, the sixth defeat from the same tennis player with zero wins over her is a serious psychological barrier. Maria Sharapova had a similar "thing" in her matches against Serena Williams. But there was an element of American super-concentration against the background of "revenge" for the 2004 Wimbledon final. But in the situation with Andreeva, we see a chronic inability of the staff to choose the right tactics. It is noteworthy that Mirra took the first set from Coco three times, but each time the American managed to turn the tide of the game. And here, too, big questions for the coach.
At the same time, considering the gambling pit that the 19-year—old Russian woman fell into after her triumph at Roland Garros, four wins at the major is a good result. It is also logical: in New York this year, the entire top four seeded tennis players reached the semifinals, while Mirra is still on the fifth line of the ranking. On the other hand, we have not yet seen a breakthrough that would allow Andreeva to exert stable pressure on the WTA leaders. And this causes some concern.
Tactically and technically, Russia's first racket has long been ready to beat top-4 tennis players, but the psychological component regularly fails. Mirra's career is developing in such a way that she did not succeed in a quick rise to the main peaks. And now the main question is: is her body and mentality ready for a long siege of leading positions in the tour and slow progress?
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