"A double victory for Zverev: He secures wins in two consecutive matches"
In the ongoing 2025 ATP Cincinnati Masters, Alexander Zverev is making a strong run, advancing to the quarterfinals [1]. However, his potential opponent in the next round, Karen Khachanov, has faced an unexpected setback.
Khachanov was forced to retire from his Round 4 match against Zverev due to an injury, losing the first set 7-5 and trailing 3-0 in the second [1][3]. This injury resulted in his withdrawal from the tournament on August 14, 2025 [1].
The injury has raised concerns about Khachanov's readiness for the upcoming 2025 US Open, as the packed ATP schedule has been a topic of discussion [2]. Yet, as of August 23, 2025, Khachanov is slated to play in the US Open, where he is seeded ninth and is scheduled to face Nishesh Basavareddy in the first round [4].
Khachanov's recent form has been impressive, with a strong run at the Canadian Open leading to a Masters 1000 final appearance, and a return to the ATP Top 10 rankings [3][5]. This suggests that he remains a competitive presence on the tour despite the injury.
The exact severity of the injury and its effect on Khachanov's US Open performance will depend on his recovery in the days following Cincinnati. Zverev, who anticipates Khachanov to be a threat at the US Open when he returns, expressed hope that the retirement was due to fatigue rather than a serious injury [6].
Meanwhile, Zverev's own performance at the Masters in Cincinnati has been noteworthy. He won both matches on Wednesday (local time) and is serving at 6:4, 5:4 in his third-round match against Brandon Nakashima, which was suspended due to a thunderstorm and resumed the following morning [1].
The match between Zverev and Khachanov, which ended after 70 minutes in the quarterfinals of the Masters in Cincinnati, saw Zverev playing more aggressively [7]. In their previous match, Khachanov prevailed despite having a match point against him.
The US Open, the last Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season, begins on August 24 [8]. The Masters in Cincinnati is seen as a warm-up for the US Open, making Khachanov and Zverev's early exits a significant loss for tennis fans.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Khachanov's injury and US Open participation, the focus remains on Zverev, who will face either Ben Shelton or Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals of the Masters in Cincinnati [1].
[1] ATP World Tour [2] The Guardian [3] Tennis.com [4] ESPN [5] Reuters [6] Tennis World USA [7] The Telegraph [8] Sports Illustrated
- Despite his potential quarterfinal competition, Karen Khachanov, withdrawing from the 2025 ATP Cincinnati Masters due to an injury, his impressive run at the Canadian Open might pose a challenge for other tennis players in the upcoming 2025 US Open sports-analysis.
- Given Zverev's recent strong performance in the 2025 ATP Cincinnati Masters and his anticipation of Khachanov being a threat at the US Open, the focus has shifted towards his tennis skills and strategies for the forthcoming grand slam tournament – the US Open.
