Carlos Alcaraz is looking for a place in the semifinals of the Hamburg ATP 500 Tournament. In the previous two rounds, the world number six has suffered a little more than expected to overcome his rivals. From the first, Nicola Kuhn, 259 in the ATP ranking, got rid of in three sets and with a comeback included (3-6, 6-1, 7-6). In the second round he faced Filip Krajinovic, number 43 in the world, whom he eliminated in two sets that were not easy at all (7-6, 6-3). Now waiting Karen Khachanov, who shares training with the Spaniard.
The Russian tennis player, number 26 in the world, will face Alcaraz, who arrives with a record of 12-0 in ATP 500 tournaments in 2022, for a place in the Hamburg semifinals. The match will be played today, Friday, July 22, on the Central Court in the fourth round of a series of matches that begins at 11:00. Therefore, it is estimated that it will not start before 16.00. It can be seen live on Movistar Plus Deportes. You can also follow minute by minute through the La Vanguardia website.
The Murcian came to this tournament wanting to make amends after falling in the round of 16 at Wimbledon against Jannik Sinner (6-1, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3). On German soil, he aimed to be the favorite along with Andrey Rublev, number eight in the world, who has already been eliminated in the round of 16 against the Argentine Francisco Cerúndolo. He is now more favorite if possible, although the suffering he has experienced to reach the quarterfinals and the level of the rival he will face suggest a very even duel.
Khachanov's path, however, has not been smooth sailing either. In the first round he faced Jan-Lennard Struff, against whom, like Alcaraz, he had to come back (3-6, 6-3, 7-6). In the second round he played against the controversial Fabio Fognini, number 61 in the world, whom he defeated in two intense sets (6-3, 7-5).
The Spanish and Russian tennis players have only faced each other once before. The clash occurred this year at Roland Garros, specifically in the round of 16, and the victory fell on the side of Alcaraz. Khachanov failed to win a set from him (6-1, 6-4, 6-4). That match can be a precedent to take into account, since it took place on the same surface, on clay.
Regarding his previous victory, the Murcian declared that "it was a really tough match, Filip (Krajinovic) is an incredible player and he has shown it". "He has forced me to play one of my best matches on the circuit," he confessed. He also spoke about his rival in the quarterfinals after the last game. "I know Karen (Khachanov) perfectly, I know that she can play fantastic tennis, she has a very high level on the court. After this victory I feel confident to face that next challenge against Karen in the quarterfinals ", he acknowledged.
