Karen Khachanov, Alcaraz's Favorite Victim

Karen Khachanov will be the first opponent of Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP 500 Vienna 2026, emerging as a tough test for the Spaniard as he begins his journey in a crucial indoor European tour for his career. The Murcian has set as priority goals the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup Finals, viewing this tournament in Vienna as the best possible preparation.

Facing a Masters 1000 champion (Paris, 2018), a former top-10 player (ranked 8th in the world in 2019), a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist, and an Olympic silver medalist from Tokyo 2021 in the first round does not seem like the best scenario to debut. However, Alcaraz has figured out the 30-year-old Russian player, as evidenced by their head-to-head record.

Khachanov has only won two sets out of the 15 played against Alcaraz

They have faced each other on 6 occasions and Khachanov has only been able to win two sets. His playing style greatly favors Carlos, giving him the ball rhythm that the Spaniard likes best and enabling him to take advantage of a forehand from Karen with a very closed grip, which makes him struggle when the ball comes at him very fast and deep from that side. Carlos usually feels very comfortable with him, delivering great performances filled with exquisite and effective plays.

Khachanov could only take some partial wins in two matchups against Carlos. Interestingly, it has been in the last two times they faced each other; in Rome 2025 and in Doha 2026. The Spanish tennis player managed to recover from the scare and achieve victory. Despite this, the Murcian should not relax in the slightest at this ATP 500 Vienna 2026 since Karen Khachanov arrives with rhythm and confidence from Almaty, where he reached the quarter-finals. Will he manage to surprise Carlos Alcaraz?

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