Russian tennis star Karen Khachanov, currently ranked 15th in the world, has shared his thoughts on the potential opponent he could face in the third round of the prestigious Rome Masters tournament. The 27-year-old is set to compete for a spot in the fourth round against the winner of the match between Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp and American Alexander Kovacevic.
In a conversation with a correspondent from Чемпионат, Khachanov revealed that he has faced both potential opponents in the past, though not recently. "I've played against both of them, and it was quite a while ago, actually. Well, not that long ago, let's say a couple of years back," Khachanov explained. This historical context gives the Russian player some familiarity with the styles of both van de Zandschulp and Kovacevic.
Khachanov characterized both players as unpredictable competitors, noting their inconsistent results. "They are, by the way, both, let's say, unpredictable opponents—that is, their results, like probably many others, go up and down," he said. This assessment highlights the challenge that awaits Khachanov in the next round, as he will need to be prepared for any tactical approach from his eventual opponent.
The world No. 15 elaborated on his analysis, stating that while he wouldn't necessarily call them unstable, they have demonstrated the ability to defeat top-tier players while also occasionally losing to opponents of a different caliber. "I wouldn't say they are unstable, but it gives the impression that they have beaten very good opponents, and could also lose, in principle, to other players of a completely different level," Khachanov observed.
This insight suggests that Khachanov is taking a professional and focused approach to his preparation. Rather than underestimating either potential opponent, he recognizes the need to be fully prepared for whoever emerges victorious from the van de Zandschulp-Kovacevic encounter. The Russian player emphasized the importance of concentration on the specific opponent he will face.
"So here you need to focus on whoever wins. We'll already be tuning in to that specific opponent," Khachanov concluded. This mindset demonstrates the tactical maturity of the experienced Russian player as he progresses through the draw at one of the ATP Tour's most important clay-court events.
The Rome Masters, officially known as the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, is a Masters 1000 tournament that serves as a key warm-up event for the French Open. Khachanov's performance in the Italian capital will be closely watched as he continues his clay-court season preparations.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.