US Open semifinalist Karen Khachanov maintained his upper hand over Félix Auger-Aliassime with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 victory in the first round of the China Open on Wednesday. The win builds on Khachanov’s previous success against the Canadian, including a four-set triumph during the US Open, where he reached the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Alexander Zverev.
Khachanov secured his path in the opening set with the only service break, largely aided by 11 unforced errors from his opponent. He maintained momentum in the second set, claiming a break in the third game and clinching the victory by breaking serve again in the final game on four straight points. Auger-Aliassime’s loss comes just ten days after his instrumental role in leading Canada to a 3-1 victory over France in Quebec City, successfully securing a spot in the Davis Cup Final 8, which is scheduled for November 24-29 in Bologna, Italy.
The tournament schedule also features the return of sixth-seeded Novak Djokovic, who was slated to face Nuno Borges in a night session match. This marks the 39-year-old’s first appearance since his opening-round exit at the US Open on August 31. Djokovic holds an unblemished 29-0 record at the China Open, having claimed six titles in Beijing, with his most recent victory coming in 2015.
