Russian-Armenian tennis star Karen Khachanov, ranked No. 50 in the world, upset third seed and world No. 4 Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada 6:7(5), 6:3, 6:2, 6:2 to reach the third round of the 2026 US Open at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York on Thursday, September 3, reports Zartonk Sports. It was Khachanov’s first win over a top-10 opponent all year.
Khachanov dropped a tight opening set in a tiebreak, then took over. He broke early in each of the next three sets and pulled away as Auger-Aliassime came apart, spraying 47 unforced errors across the three-hour, 16-minute match. The Canadian, a US Open semifinalist a year ago, won just 41 percent of points behind his second serve and never found his timing after losing the second set.
The result cut against Khachanov’s recent form. At No. 50, his lowest ranking since 2018, the 30-year-old had lost all three hard-court matches he played since a third-round exit at Wimbledon in July. Beating Auger-Aliassime ensured he reached at least the third round at all four majors this season, and it returned him to the last 32 in New York for the first time since his run to the semifinals in 2022.
“I tried to give my best performance. Fighting, and I am super happy to get this win,” Khachanov said in his on-court interview. He was gracious toward his opponent, wishing him well if he was carrying an injury, while crediting his own preparation after a rough stretch. “The last month didn’t go well for me, so we have been practicing and I am sure I am fit.”
In the first round on Monday, Khachanov brushed aside Argentina’s Román Burruchaga 6:3, 6:0, 6:1. He will next face the winner of the match between France’s Benjamin Bonzi and Peru’s Ignacio Buse.
The seven-time tour-level titlist is chasing a deep run at the season’s final major, where the champion earns $5.5 million from a record $108 million total purse.
