Karen Khachanov Wins Almaty ATP Tournament, Securing His 7th Career Title

Russian-Armenian tennis star Karen Khachanov, currently ranked 26th in the world, claimed victory at the ATP-250 tournament in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In a thrilling final, Khachanov faced Canadian player Gabriel Diallo, ranked 118th, and won the match 6-2, 5-7, 6-3. The intense match lasted 2 hours and 22 minutes, marking Khachanov’s 7th career title.

The road to victory wasn’t easy for Khachanov. After winning the first set and gaining an early lead in the second, Diallo fought back, showing determination and skill. At one point, Khachanov seemed to be in control with a set and a break, but Diallo’s resilience and powerful play evened the score. The Canadian’s comeback energized the crowd and raised hopes for an upset. However, Khachanov remained focused and ultimately sealed the win in the third set.

Reflecting on the match, Khachanov said, “A lot of emotions, now I’m relieved and super happy. You can’t expect a final to be easy, without tension, but it was until 6-2, 4-2. Then he started to relax, go for his shots a little bit more, and he suddenly turned the match around.”

Diallo, a 23-year-old Canadian, was playing for his first ATP Tour title and gave Khachanov a tough challenge. His performance throughout the tournament earned him a career-high ranking of 87th in the world. Despite his strong effort, Diallo couldn’t overcome Khachanov’s experience and relentless play in the final set.

Khachanov’s win in Almaty adds to his impressive career achievements, including a 2018 victory against Novak Djokovic at the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris. This is his second title in 2024, having already won in Doha earlier this year. The Almaty tournament was played on indoor hard courts, a surface where Khachanov excels.

Throughout the final, Khachanov was aggressive on return, creating 19 break point opportunities against Diallo’s strong serve. His ability to maintain pressure and win crucial points helped him secure the championship.