Two-time Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas will compete in the quarter-final of the ATP 500 event for the fourth time. Stefanos faced Karen Khachanov in the second round and earned a hard-fought 7-6, 2-6, 6-4 victory in two hours and 28 minutes.
The Greek prevailed with a late break in the decider and celebrated his milestone 350th ATP victory. Stefanos also extended his brilliant run against Karen, beating the Russian for the ninth time in ten encounters! Khachanov fought well at one of his favorite tournaments.
However, he got broken at 4-5 in the decider and smashed his racquet in anger. Thanks to the second set, the Russian claimed one point more than the Greek. However, world no. 11 clinched the pivotal ones.
350 Tour-Level Wins 👏@steftsitsipas overcomes Khachanov 7-6 2-6 6-4 to make the quarter-finals!#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/2Vn5e5o8Na
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 26, 2025
They stayed neck and neck behind the first and second serve and faced nine break points. Tsitsipas got broken three times and provided two return games, the crucial one in the final game of the duel. Stefanos landed 36 winners and 38 unforced errors.
Khachanov stood on a 24-36 ratio and erased that deficit after hitting 12 service winners more than his rival. The Greek had the upper hand from the baseline and at the net, emerging as a deserved winner. Karen saved a break point in the first game of the match with a forehand winner.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, Dubai 2025© Stream screenshot
They served well in the next six games, with the Russian leading 4-3. Khachanov stepped in on the return in the eighth game and secured a break after the rival’s double fault. Karen served for the opener at 5-3 and sprayed a forehand error to drop serve and keep his opponent in contention.
They introduced a tie break and traded mini-breaks in the fifth and sixth points. Khachanov netted a forehand in the eighth point and fell 5-3 behind. Tsitsipas landed a service winner for 6-4 and two set points and seized the first with a forced error for 7-6 in 50 minutes.
Karen Khachanov, Dubai 2025© Stream screenshot
The second set also lasted 80 minutes despite only eight games. Karen made a fresh start and earned six break points in the first game. He converted the last after a wild backhand from Stefanos to grab an early break and gain a boost.
Khachanov held at love in game two and provided another break a few minutes later when Tsitsipas placed a backhand long. The Russian denied three break points in the sixth game for 5-1 and served for the set at 5-2. It was another thrilling game, with three break points and five set points!
Karen Khachanov, Dubai 2025© Stream screenshot
Karen missed two set points and offered his rival three break chances. He saved them and created three more set points. The lower-ranked player seized the last with a backhand winner, taking the set 6-2 and introducing a decider after an hour and 41 minutes.
They served well in the first four games, and the Greek faced a break point at 2-2. He denied it with a forehand that barely caught the line and produced a fine hold.The two rivals delivered four fine holds, with Stefanos moving 5-4 up after a forced error.
Karen served to stay in the match in game ten and cracked under pressure. Stefanos extended the game with a sharp return and created a match point after the rival’s volley error. Khachanov missed a challenging smash, propelling his rival over the top and smashing his racquet.
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