Karen Khachanov is through to the round of 16 at the 27th Noventi Open. He defeated Miomir Kecmanovic, the Lucky Looser, who had got to the main field for Damir Dzumhur, 7:6(5) and 6:4. Dzumhur had had to give up his first time on the grass in Halle due to shoulder injurie.
Kecmanovic had been defeated in the second round of the qualifiers by Joao Sousa and against Khachanov, too, it ended after 90 minutes. “I played better than in Stuttgart. I feel very good here“, Khachanov stated after the match.
In the first set the world’s no. nine had difficulties, especially with the second service. The 23-year-old could only achieve 43% of points with his second service. A problem which was especially seen at the beginning of the match. Kecmanovic took off his first service.
But the 19-year-old Serb also first had difficulties with his service, thus Khachanov got the direct re-break. The 23-year-old then had to fender off another break point. During the first round both youngsters found their game better and it was then an eye to eye competition. Khachanov had luck on his side in the tiebreak. After 53 minutes the first set went to the world’s no. nine 7:6(5).
In the second set it was still close. Khachanov, who got to the semi-finals in the tournament in 2017, wasted a chance to break at a score of 1:1. The second, however, was not wasted, he got his service through and went into the leas 4:2. 2. Kecmanovic then didn’t have a chance for a re-break. After 1 hour and 30 minutes Karen Khachanov was through to the round of 16 7:6(5), 6:4 perfekt.
