(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Alexander Zverev Advances to Cincinnati Masters Quarterfinals After Karen Khachanov Retirement
Cincinnati, OH – World No. 3 Alexander Zverev has secured a spot in the Cincinnati Masters quarterfinals after leading 7-5, 3-0 against Karen Khachanov in the fourth round when the Russian retired.
Khachanov, who reached the Canada Masters final and won two matches in Cincinnati, could not keep up with the 2021 champion. Zverev claimed the first set after a late break and earned two more breaks at the start of the second before Khachanov retired.
Zverev will face either Ben Shelton or Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals. The German served at 74% and controlled most of his service games, dropping only one game while serving for the first set. He hit 16 winners and recorded 15 unforced errors, capitalizing on Khachanov’s 4-27 ratio in key points.
The opening set saw intense rallies, with Khachanov briefly leveling at 5-5 after recovering a break. However, Zverev regained control, breaking again to lead 6-5 and ultimately clinching the set with a smash winner on set point. Khachanov committed a forehand error on the fourth break point of the second set before retiring.
Zverev now advances confidently into the Cincinnati Masters quarterfinals, aiming to continue his strong form on the hard courts.
