Major US Open Upset
Karen Khachanov Upsets Third-Seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime in Four Sets at US Open
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Key Points
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Khachanov entered the US Open at No. 50 in the ATP rankings, his lowest mark since 2017.
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Auger-Aliassime had withdrawn from the National Bank Open in Toronto last month because of a back injury.
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Khachanov moved to 3-2 in the head-to-head series against Auger-Aliassime with this victory.
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The match lasted about three hours and 20 minutes, with Khachanov generating 20 break-point opportunities and converting seven of them.
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Auger-Aliassime appeared hampered by movement in the later stages—displaying heavy legs and five double faults in the third set as heat affected play on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Karen Khachanov pulled off a stunning upset at the US Open, defeating third-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in the second round Newsord. The Russian, ranked 50th and playing his lowest ranking since 2017, recovered from a tight first-set tiebreak and took control with aggressive baseline play. Auger-Aliassime struggled with movement issues and health problems, committing 47 unforced errors in the three-hour, 20-minute match Head Topics.
Khachanov's victory marks his first top-10 win of the year and extends his head-to-head record to 3-2 against Auger-Aliassime Charlotte Observer. The Canadian third seed never found his rhythm on Louis Armstrong Stadium as heat and his lingering back injury took their toll.
Khachanov Breaks Through After Tight First Set
The match hinged on the first set. Khachanov and Auger-Aliassime fought to a tiebreak, where Khachanov narrowly won 7-5 Newsord. Rather than fold, Khachanov immediately shifted momentum. He broke Auger-Aliassime in the opening game of set two and never looked back, winning 6-3 with dominant baseline shots.
Khachanov's serve-return game was lethal. He generated 20 break-point opportunities total and converted seven of them Head Topics. By the third set, Auger-Aliassime's legs grew heavy. He double-faulted five times in that set alone as Khachanov cruised 6-2, then finished 6-2 in the fourth Archynetys.
Auger-Aliassime's Health Crisis Derails Title Hopes
Auger-Aliassime arrived at the US Open already compromised. He withdrew from the National Bank Open in Toronto last month due to a back injury Head Topics. In New York, those issues resurged midway through the second set. The Canadian felt dizzy, saw spots, and couldn't recover Archynetys.
The heat on Louis Armstrong Stadium worsened his condition. Khachanov suggested it could be heat-related illness or a physical breakdown News Observer. Either way, Auger-Aliassime's movement deteriorated sharply. His unforced error count—47 total—told the story of a player unable to dictate or recover points.
Khachanov Eyes Deeper Run From 50th Ranking
This upset carries extra weight for Khachanov. Ranked 50th, he entered the tournament near his lowest point since 2017 Charlotte Observer. Top-10 wins don't come often at that ranking. His aggressive style—grinding baseline rallies and punishing weak first serves—proved perfectly suited to fast courts.
Khachanov advances to face the winner of Bonzi versus Buse in the third round Newsord. For a player climbing back into form, this upset signals momentum. He proved he can beat the best when his opponent falters—and sometimes that's all a deep run requires.
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