Just as the tennis ball flies back and forth over the net, so it went back and forth in the match between eighth seed Karen Khachanov and Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada). In the end, the favourite came out on top: Karen Khachanov prevailed 6:3, 1:6, 6:3 and is through to the quarter-finals.
However, to reach the semi-finals of the grass court tournament in Halle for the second time since 2017, she will need to improve her performance considerably. Karen Khachanov got off to a good start against the Canadian. The 29-year-old acted courageously, served well and only conceded three points to the Canadian in his five service games. Felix Auger-Aliassime, on the other hand, was too timid, risked next to nothing and therefore conceded a break in his second service game. A clear case: the first set went to Karen Khachanov 6:3 after just 33 minutes.
Then both players flipped the switch. While the 24-year-old Canadian was now aggressive, Karen Khachanov was suddenly off her game. If the first set had been quick, the second round was even quicker. 6:1 for Felix Auger-Aliassime after 27 minutes. Karen Khachanov practically couldn't get a foot on the grass in Halle.
And the switch was flipped again. Break by Karen Khachanov in the Canadian's first service game. The favourite was able to hold his serve until 4:2, but then conceded the re-break. Felix Auger-Aliassime was now back in the match and seemed to have the advantage. But far from it: Karen Khachanov countered with the next break and then converted his second match point on his own serve to make it 6:3, 1:6, 6:3.
"That was hard work. Felix always played particularly well when I had the advantage. I'm glad that it was enough for me in the end," said Karen Khachanov after the match, happy and relieved to have reached the quarter-finals.
