Russian tennis player Karen Khachanov, ranked 23rd in the world, shared his thoughts on defeating Australian Nick Kyrgios in the second round of the Miami Masters. The match concluded with a score of 7-6(3), 6-0 in Khachanov’s favor.
Khachanov noted that Kyrgios had been away from professional tennis for about two to two and a half years and is only now returning to competition this season. He mentioned the unpredictable nature of playing against Kyrgios, acknowledging that you never quite know if he will be fully engaged in the match. However, Khachanov also drew on their past experiences, recalling tough matches against Kyrgios in their careers.
He emphasized Kyrgios’s strengths, pointing out his incredible serve and aggressive, varied playing style, including drop shots, slices, and net approaches. Khachanov explained that Kyrgios often disrupts an opponent’s rhythm. Therefore, Khachanov’s primary strategy was to concentrate on his own serve and capitalize on any opportunities to break Kyrgios’s serve. He stressed the crucial mental aspect of playing Kyrgios, stating the need to avoid distractions and focus on executing his own game plan. According to Khachanov, Kyrgios showed vulnerability in critical moments during their Miami match, which ultimately determined the outcome of the second set.
Marcus Prine