Khachanov and the sudoku to make adjustments between tournaments

Fernando Murciego | 13 Aug 2025 | 13.00

Karen Khachanov, between Toronto and Cincinnati. Source: Getty

Streaming Challenger Cary live tennis

🎾 Alex Rybakov vs Hiroki Moriya

Sign up with Bet365 here
Make your first deposit of at least €5
Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

The tennis calendar has become so tight that it seems there is no solution to prevent these things from happening. For example, Karen Khachanov, the finalist last week at the Masters 1000 in Canada, how is it possible that two days later he was already competing in the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati? Very simple, because there is no time for more rest. With hardly any space to catch your breath, the Russian has managed to pass his first two tests in Ohio, against Valentin Royer (6-4, 7-6) and Jenson Brooksby (6-3, 6-3), so it was time to sit comfortably at the Tennis Channel table to talk and go over some ideas. While waiting for his opponent in the round of 16, these were his statements.

Match against Brooksby

"He is a really uncomfortable opponent to face, honestly. The ball trajectory that comes to you is usually very flat, but he also knows how to counterattack, he is very fast, knows how to defend, and knows how to send you a softer ball, or suddenly play on the line. He tries to cut your pace all the time, he is one of those special opponents. I lost to him a few years ago in Indian Wells, so I was happy to have overcome him this time. I was looking forward to this rematch after so long, and I am pleased to have achieved it."

From Toronto to Cincinnati

"Only one day passed between the final in Toronto and my debut here, although we know this is normal when you go deep in a tournament, when you reach the semifinals or final. Then you have little time to adjust to the next tournament, not to mention the physical recovery, which is also important, but your mentality. You understand when you have done well in a tournament, you know the consequences, and you accept them, but the next day you have to start over from scratch. Many times your mind stays in the previous stop, but you need to reset and go back to square one, especially when most will want to face you and give their 100%. That's where you have to give extra to bring out your best version and avoid an early defeat; saving these first rounds is super important to maintain that confidence."

Final against Shelton in Canada

"I can only be proud of the tournament I had. If you had asked me before the start of this tour, I wouldn't know what to tell you; I suppose I would have said that the plan was to take it one match at a time, although the goal is always to go as far as possible. If you had told me that I would reach the final of the Masters 1000 in Canada, I would have signed it right then and there, even though it hurts to be just short of putting the icing on the cake. I understand and acknowledge that I gave my all to win that final, I left everything on the court, I have no regrets whatsoever. That's what being in this position entails; we played a great match, I stood tall until the end, but at these levels, that's what can happen. I am happy despite the loss; it was a great tournament for me; now it's time to switch gears and focus on Cincinnati."

Emotional ceremony after losing the final

"It was a moment of sincerity; I spoke from the heart, it was just how I felt at that moment. At the end of the day, all one needs is to express what they feel, what they think, so that's simply what I did: express what I felt. It's straightforward, just like right now when you ask me about my last match or my next tournament; I will always give you an honest opinion on the matter."

Zverev or Nakashima in the round of 16

"Against Sascha, the matches are always very close; that could have easily been the final in Canada, it would surely have been a very similar match to the one that happened. Obviously, here we are facing two players of different styles. I faced Brandon last year in Vienna, where he started really strong, and then I managed to step up my game and win in three sets. With Zverev, I have a much broader history; we played last week in Toronto, but the conditions here are completely different, so it will depend on whether we play during the day or at night. In this case, we will play at 8:00 in the evening, so I will try to follow that match to see how I prepare."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Khachanov y el sudoku para hacer ajustes entre torneos

ATP