Russian-Armenian tennis star and world No. 9 Karen Khachanov has advanced to the second round of the US Open after defeating world No. 104 American Nishesh Basavareddy in four sets — 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 7-5, 6-1 — in the first round of the US Open in New York on Monday night, reports Zartonk Sports.
Khachanov rallied after dropping the first set to turn the match around in 3 hours and 9 minutes. Basavareddy, a 20-year-old making his US Open main-draw debut, grabbed the first set in a tiebreak despite winning only three more points overall (40 to Khachanov’s 37) and going eight-for-11 at the net. Khachanov then showed composure and tactical adjustments, steadying himself in the second set and breaking at 5-3 to level the match. The third set remained tight as Basavareddy held a break chance at 4-5, but Khachanov denied him, converted a crucial break of his own, and sealed the set with an ace. In the fourth, the Russian saved an early break point before reeling off six straight games to close out the contest. His serve proved decisive throughout: 19 aces, an 83% win rate behind his first delivery, and seven of eight break-point chances converted. By contrast, Basavareddy managed three aces, four double faults, and just two breaks from ten opportunities.
Khachanov will face Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak (world No. 76) in the second round on Thursday.
The US Open Tennis Championships, commonly called the US Open, is a hard-court Grand Slam tournament organized annually by the United States Tennis Association in Queens, New York City. It is the fourth and final major of the season, following the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon.
The US Open prize fund this year stands at $90 million.
