via Getty
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MARCH 02: Karen Khachanov of Russia walks out to play in his match against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during Day 2 of the 48th ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament at Ahoy on March 02, 2021 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
via Getty
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MARCH 02: Karen Khachanov of Russia walks out to play in his match against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during Day 2 of the 48th ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament at Ahoy on March 02, 2021 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Karen Khachanov defeated Australia’s unseeded Alex De Minaur in a 3-set encounter at Dubai Tennis Championships. Now he is set to face Novak Djokovic next on 23rd February 2022. Top seed Djokovic managed to win his 1st match against Lorenzo Musetti to advance in the tournament.
When asked about Djokovic?s situation and stance over the vaccination, Karen said, ?It?s a very delicate situation; he (Novak) needs to stand with his decisions & I respect that a lot.?
Khachanov: It’s a very delicate situation; he (Novak) needs to stand with his decisions & I respect that a lot. Obviously it would be better if he can play a normal season & can go everywhere but I think he has team around him, he has his own decisions & he’ll stick to them…
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) February 22, 2022
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The world no. 26 further added that it would be better if Novak can play a normal season and can go everywhere. The ?Novax? term has been buzzing around the 20-time Grand Slam winner. Djokovic played his 1st match of the season, could not participate in Indian Wells or Miami tournament due to the US restrictions over unvaccinated individuals.
Khachanov also mentioned that it would be difficult to see World no. 1 Novak Djokovic not playing in many matches this season. But the Serb has shown no sign of rust in his 1st round match. He won the match against the Italian Lorenzo Musetti in two sets, to bid for his 6th Dubai Championship.
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Khachanov?said, ?I think he (Djokovic) has team around him, he has his own decisions & he?ll stick to them…?
Karen Khachanov relentless on ATP Tours
Karen Khachanov is playing back-to-back ATP Tours since his 3rd round defeat in the 2022 Australian Open. He played a total of 5 tournaments in 2 months, including the Australian Open, and has an 11-5 record in 2022.
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In the 1st Adelaide International of 2022, he lost to top-seed Frenchman Gael Monfils in 2 sets. Another French player, Arthur Rinderknech halted Karen’s run in the 2nd Adelaide international in the quarter-finals.
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 11, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Karen Khachanov of Russia plays a shot against Aslan Karatsev of Russia in third round play in the National Bank Open at Aviva Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Then, the eventual winner of the Slam, Rafael Nadal won against Khachanov in 4 sets. The Rotterdam and Qatar tours were also an early wrap-up for the Russian.
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Former?world No. 8 has 4 ATP Trophies and made to the quarterfinals of the French Open (2019) and Wimbledon (2021). The 1st ever match against Novak Djokovic would be a tough one for the 25-year-old Russian.
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