Karen Khachanov battled back once again at the ATP Cup on Sunday to record his second singles win in Perth and give Team Russia an early lead against Team United States in the Group D tie.
Khachanov was a spectator for much of the first set-and-a-half at the RAC Arena when Taylor Fritz played near faultless tennis, but the World No. 17 starting striking searing groundstrokes and completed a 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 victory over one hour and 52 minutes.
World No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, who compiled 59 match wins and lifted four ATP Tour trophies in 2019, will next look to steer Russia to victory overall by beating John Isner, who was unable to convert two match points against Casper Ruud of Norway in his first singles match on Friday.
[VISIT ATP CUP]
Fritz got off to a quick start, showing great variation on his serve and a willingness to attack the net to keep his opponent on the back foot. Khachanov, who’d won their previous match 6-2, 6-4 at the Rolex Shanghai Masters three months ago, began to work his way into the match, but Fritz’s shot-making was too strong in the 33-minute first set. At 5-3, Fritz was taken to deuce for the second consecutive game, but he held firm saving one break point.
Fritz, standing on top of his backhand and striking cleanly, broke Khachanov for a 3-2 advantage in the second set, but was immediately clawed back. Khachanov could not convert a set point on Fritz’s serve at 5-4, but his greater groundstroke depth and power led to a decider.
Khachanov won five straight games from 5-5 in the second set to 3-0 in the third set, dragging Fritz out wide to open up the court. On Friday, Khachanov recovered from 2-5 down in the first set — and saved one set point at 3-5 — en route to a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Italian Stefano Travaglia.
The United States lost 1-2 to Norway in its first Group D tie in Perth on Friday. Fritz beat Viktor Durasovic in that tie.
[FINAL EIGHT]
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