Khachanov joins Humbert in the semi-finals

Russian Karen Khachanov, 21st player in the world, qualified on Friday for the semi-finals of the Masters 1000 in Paris where he will face French No.1 Ugo Humbert (18th) on Saturday, present for the first time at this level in a tournament of this caliber. Winner of the tournament in 2018 and former 8th in the world, Khachanov beat Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (9th) 6-2, 6-3 in the quarter-finals, his first victory in five confrontations.

Dimitrov’s defeat compromises his chances of winning one of the last three tickets for the Turin Masters (November 10-17), even if the Bulgarian plans to line up for the Metz tournament (November 3-9) to try to get there. win a place in the tournament which brings together the eight best players of the season at the end of the year.

Also read
Rolex Paris Masters: Ugo Humbert changed status this week in Paris

Second confrontation with Humbert in sight

Khachanov, already an indoor winner at the ATP 250 in Almaty in October, will challenge Ugo Humbert late Saturday afternoon, the first Frenchman present in the last four at Bercy since 2017, for a place in the final. During the only duel between men, in the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympic tournament in 2021, the left-hander from Metz lost in three sets.

Friday on center court, the Russian took his opponent by the throat from the start of the match to quickly lead 4-0. Despite Dimitrov waking up late, the Bulgarian conceded the first set 6-2 in just 30 minutes. The second set changed in the seventh game when Khachanov once again took Dimitrov’s serve (4-3). The Russian then concluded the set 6-3 on his third match point.