"Record-breaking 'Masters' tournament results"
In a historic achievement, Russian tennis player Karen Khachanov reached the final of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers, an ATP Masters 1000 tournament with a prize fund of $9.2 million. This remarkable feat marks the longest gap between ATP Masters 1000 finals appearances in tennis history, surpassing any previous intervals by a significant margin.
Khachanov's previous Masters 1000 final was at the 2018 Paris Masters, meaning his gap between finals was 6 years, 9 months, and 3 days. This victory over Alexander Zverev in the 2025 Canadian Open highlights Khachanov's resilience and longevity in professional tennis, overcoming a lengthy period without reaching such a high-level final.
The semifinal match, which lasted 2 hours and 52 minutes, was a closely contested battle. The first set was won by Khachanov after a decisive unreturnable lob on his third set point in the ninth game. Zverev responded by winning the second set, taking advantage of Khachanov's cautious play at 4-5.
The third set was a thrilling affair, with both players demonstrating impressive tennis. The crucial moment came in the twelfth game when Zverev earned a match point at the net, but Khachanov failed to serve it out on his first attempt. However, Khachanov won the next five points, playing more accurately and taking advantage of Zverev's uncertainty towards the end of the match.
The final score of the match was 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4). The second set was evenly matched, with neither player having a break point for nine consecutive games. One crucial rally occurred late in the fourth game, when Khachanov hit a left-handed shot along the line, and Zverev, rushing forward, couldn't handle the ball, sending it into the net.
In the third set, Khachanov failed to convert his first match point, as the ball went slightly long after a strong shot from the right. However, he managed to lob Zverev in the first game of the third set, and in the crucial twelfth game, he won the tiebreak 7-4 to secure his place in the final.
Khachanov made significantly fewer errors than Zverev in the match, and he showed great determination and skill throughout the contest. His victory over Zverev marks his first time reaching a Masters 1000 final since 2018.
The US Open, with a prize fund of $90 million, is scheduled to begin on Friday, August 8, at 2:30 PM Moscow time. The final against Ben Shelton is eagerly anticipated, and Khachanov will be aiming to continue his impressive form and potentially claim his first Grand Slam title.
Khachanov's resilience and longevity in professional tennis are evident, as he recently reached a Masters 1000 final after a 6-year, 9-month, and 3-day gap since his last appearance, which was at the 2018 Paris Masters. In the Canadian Open, he defeated Alexander Zverev, demonstrating his ability to succeed even after a lengthy hiatus from high-level finals, positioning him for potential success in future tournaments, such as the Masters and Grand Slams.
