Karen Khachanov reached his second consecutive Grand Slam semi-final on Tuesday when Sebastian Korda retired damage on the Australian Open, ending the younger American’s dream of emulating his father Petr’s 1998 title run.
Korda wanted therapy on a wrist damage within the second set of their quarter-final earlier than calling it quits when trailing 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 3-0 to the Russian 18th seed on Rod Laver Arena.
Khachanov’s reward is a conflict with both Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or unseeded Czech Jiri Lehecka, who play later, for a spot in Sunday’s last.
Victory equals the 26-year-old’s finest efficiency at a significant after his semi-final run throughout final September’s US Open, the place he misplaced to Norway’s Casper Ruud.
The Olympic silver medallist, who has received 4 Tour-level titles, got here into the match with far better expertise at this stage of a Grand Slam than Korda, having reached the final eight in any respect 4 majors.
In distinction, the 22-year-old Korda was in his first quarter-final.
Khachanov additionally had a far simpler experience within the fourth spherical, routing Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in straight units whereas Korda slogged by a five-set thriller in opposition to Hubert Hurkacz.
“I feel till a sure level it was very aggressive, an excellent battle,” mentioned Khachanov.
“He beat my buddy Daniil (Medvedev) in three units and received in 5 units in opposition to Hurkacz so you already know he’s enjoying nice. So applause to him.
“I’m feeling good to be trustworthy and actually completely satisfied about the way in which I’m competing,” he added. “I’m wanting ahead to the semi-finals right here in Australia for the primary time.”
Khachanov, who reached a career-high rating of eight in 2019, opened with a serve to like, then reeled off a simple break to go 2-0 clear with Korda’s early nerves obvious.
The American lastly received off the mark to carry for 3-1 when Khachanov flayed a cross-court forehand broad.
But with the Russian blasting down aces and profitable greater than 90 % on his first serve, the probabilities to interrupt again have been few and much between.
Story continues
However, a wayward backhand as Khachanov was serving for the set handed Korda his first break level alternative and he grabbed it with each palms.
It went to a tiebreak, the place Khachanov held his nerve, sealing it on his third set level with a blistering backhand down the road.
Korda wanted therapy on his proper, serving, wrist at 3-2 within the second set. He returned with it strapped however was instantly damaged.
The Russian consolidated and with Korda struggling, flexing his wrist between factors, he broke once more to take a two-set lead.
Korda left the courtroom on the changeover, clearly in hassle. He continued however misplaced the opening 10 factors of the third set earlier than retiring.
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