The semi-finals of the 32nd TERRA WORTMANN OPEN are complete. Karen Khachanov was the fourth and last player to reach the final round on Friday evening. The 29-year-old lived up to his role as favourite against Tomas Martin Etcheverry and triumphed 6:3, 6:2. "It was a great match. I was very happy with my game," said the winner in the on-court interview. "I served well and played well."
The tournament in Halle remains a good place for Khachanov. He played his fifth quarter-final (in six appearances) at the Roger-Federer-Allee on Friday and celebrated his second semi-final. The world number 22 was able to rely on his service above all and also regularly found a grip on his opponent's service games.
Khachanov earned his first break point in the second game of the match, which Etcheverry was initially able to fend off. The Argentinian was playing in his first ever quarter-final on grass and largely did a good job. However, he was unable to build on his strong form of the previous day, when he eliminated Andrey Rublev. Khachanov broke midway through the set to make it 4:2 in the first set. With an ace - it was his fifth - he served out the set with composure.
The former top ten player didn't show any weaknesses in the second set either. Khachanov dictated the rallies early on and forced Etcheverry to make a mistake on break point at 1:0 with a deep forehand. In addition to power, the man from Moscow also demonstrated finesse, repeatedly catching his opponent wrong-footed with fine stops. Khachanov sealed the deal with the second break to make it 4:1. Shortly afterwards, he converted his first match point after just 72 minutes.
On Saturday, Khachanov will face the in-form Alexander Bublik in the next round, who also won against Thomas Machac after his triumph over Jannik Sinner. Khachanov has won the only direct duel between the two to date - albeit five years ago.
