Khachanov into Australian Open semi-finals after Korda retires
Karen Khachanov reached his second consecutive Grand Slam semi-final on Tuesday when Sebastian Korda retired harm on the Australian Open, ending the younger American’s dream of emulating his father Petr’s 1998 title run.
Korda wanted therapy on a wrist harm within the second set of their quarter-final earlier than calling it quits when trailing 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 3-0 to the Russian 18th seed on Rod Laver Enviornment.
Khachanov’s reward is a conflict with both Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or unseeded Czech Jiri Lehecka, who play later, for a spot in Sunday’s remaining.
Victory equals the 26-year-old’s greatest efficiency at a significant after his semi-final run throughout final September’s US Open, the place he misplaced to Norway’s Casper Ruud.
The Olympic silver medallist, who has received 4 Tour-level titles, got here into the match with far higher expertise at this stage of a Grand Slam than Korda, having reached the final eight in any respect 4 majors.
In distinction, the 22-year-old Korda was in his first quarter-final.
Khachanov additionally had a far simpler trip within the fourth spherical, routing Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in straight units whereas Korda slogged via a five-set thriller in opposition to Hubert Hurkacz.
“I believe till a sure level it was very aggressive, an excellent battle,” mentioned Khachanov.
“He beat my good friend Daniil (Medvedev) in three units and received in 5 units in opposition to Hurkacz so you recognize he’s taking part in nice. So applause to him.
“I am feeling good to be sincere and actually joyful about the best way I am competing,” he added. “I am trying ahead to the semi-finals right here in Australia for the primary time.”
Khachanov, who reached a career-high rating of eight in 2019, opened with a serve to like, then reeled off a straightforward break to go 2-0 clear with Korda’s early nerves obvious.
The American lastly bought off the mark to carry for 3-1 when Khachanov flayed a cross-court forehand vast.
However with the Russian blasting down aces and profitable greater than 90 p.c on his first serve, the possibilities to interrupt again had been few and much between.
Nevertheless, a wayward backhand as Khachanov was serving for the set handed Korda his first break level alternative and he grabbed it with each palms.
It went to a tiebreak, the place Khachanov held his nerve, sealing it on his third set level with a blistering backhand down the road.
Korda wanted therapy on his proper, serving, wrist at 3-2 within the second set. He returned with it strapped however was instantly damaged.
The Russian consolidated and with Korda struggling, flexing his wrist between factors, he broke once more to take a two-set lead.
Korda left the court docket on the changeover, clearly in hassle. He continued however misplaced the opening 10 factors of the third set earlier than retiring.
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