Karen Khachanov advanced to the semi-finals at an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time since 2019 Thursday when he moved past Argentine Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 6-2 at the Miami Open presented by Itau.
After falling a break down in the first set, the 26-year-old quickly recovered to ensure it was one-way traffic from then. The big-hitting 14th seed crushed 18 winners and drove the ball through the quick court to force Cerundolo into errors, sealing his victory after 75 minutes.
"At the end of the day it was a question of finding rhythm," Khachanov said. "At the beginning, it was pretty windy and I couldn't figure out where the wind was coming through. I then started to hit through the ball more and then I felt better and better. After I broke him back I felt I am on a good rise and felt that I could not miss. That is a good feeling to have during a match.
"I think I have improved my mentality and self belief a lot. I am enjoying the process. I think the results speak for themselves and I am happy it is paying off."
[ATP APP]
Cerundolo entered the match holding an 8-1 record in Miami, having soared to the semi-finals on debut last year. The 24-year-old was unable to earn his first victory against Khachanov and reach the last four again, however, committing 22 unforced errors.
Khachanov won his only ATP Masters 1000 title in Paris in 2018, before he advanced to the semi-finals in Toronto in 2019. He will continue the quest for his fifth tour-level title and first since Paris five years ago when he plays Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals.
"We grew up together and everytime I play against Daniil or Andrey [Rublev], it is not easy because we are good friends," Khachanov said looking ahead to his match against Medvedev. "But on the court we are rivals. We played in Adelaide this year and he beat me pretty solid, so I will try to approach this match differently."
Khachanov is up five spots to No. 11 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings and will jump back into the Top 10 if he wins the title. Earlier this season, he advanced to the semi-finals at the Australian Open.
After falling a break down in the first set, the 26-year-old quickly recovered to ensure it was one-way traffic from then. The big-hitting 14th seed crushed 18 winners and drove the ball through the quick court to force Cerundolo into errors, sealing his victory after 75 minutes.
"At the end of the day it was a question of finding rhythm," Khachanov said. "At the beginning, it was pretty windy and I couldn't figure out where the wind was coming through. I then started to hit through the ball more and then I felt better and better. After I broke him back I felt I am on a good rise and felt that I could not miss. That is a good feeling to have during a match.
"I think I have improved my mentality and self belief a lot. I am enjoying the process. I think the results speak for themselves and I am happy it is paying off."
[ATP APP]
Cerundolo entered the match holding an 8-1 record in Miami, having soared to the semi-finals on debut last year. The 24-year-old was unable to earn his first victory against Khachanov and reach the last four again, however, committing 22 unforced errors.
Khachanov won his only ATP Masters 1000 title in Paris in 2018, before he advanced to the semi-finals in Toronto in 2019. He will continue the quest for his fifth tour-level title and first since Paris five years ago when he plays Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals.
"We grew up together and everytime I play against Daniil or Andrey [Rublev], it is not easy because we are good friends," Khachanov said looking ahead to his match against Medvedev. "But on the court we are rivals. We played in Adelaide this year and he beat me pretty solid, so I will try to approach this match differently."
Khachanov is up five spots to No. 11 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings and will jump back into the Top 10 if he wins the title. Earlier this season, he advanced to the semi-finals at the Australian Open.