Toronto Masters: Steady Khachanov tames Michelsen to set up semi-final clash with Zverev

Karen Khachanov lived up to his No. 11 seed on Tuesday night in Toronto, dispatching No. 26 seed Alex Michelsen in straight sets (6-4, 7-6 [3]). Solid on serve and steady from the baseline, the Russian leaned on his experience to reach the semi-finals of a Masters 1000 event for the sixth time in his career — and the third time in Canada, after Montreal in 2018 and 2019.

At 29, Khachanov showcased the gulf in maturity and composure against a still-green opponent. Michelsen, 20, was playing in his first Masters 1000 quarter-final, and it showed during the key moments: 40 unforced errors, six missed break points, and a tendency to rush against Khachanov’s physicality and tactical discipline.

The Russian dictated play throughout, particularly behind his excellent first serve — winning 85% of those points — and was never threatened on serve, not facing a single break point. Tuesday’s win was his fourth of the week, following victories over Argentine qualifier Juan Pablo Ficovich, American Emilio Nava, and 8th seed Casper Ruud in the round of 16.

Revenge served, heavyweight duel ahead

The win also carried a personal edge. Back in January, at the Australian Open, Khachanov was upset by Michelsen in the third round — the American’s breakthrough at the time. But this time around, the Russian flipped the script: less passive, more consistent in the backhand exchanges, and pinpoint on his second-serve returns, Khachanov dominated from start to finish.

He now prepares for a semi-final clash against Alexander Zverev, in a battle between two of the most physically imposing players on tour. The German leads their head-to-head 5-2, having won the last three, including a 6-3, 6-2 win in Cincinnati in 2024. But Khachanov arrives in top form, having not dropped a set since the second round.

As the final four approaches, the Moscow native is brimming with confidence. After an injury-disrupted start to the season, Khachanov seems to have rediscovered the level that took him to the semi-finals of the 2022 US Open and the quarter-finals at Roland-Garros last year. On a hard court that rewards his heavy baseline game and disciplined patterns, he can start dreaming of a second Masters 1000 title — six years after lifting the trophy in Paris-Bercy in 2018.

Toronto Masters 1000, other quarter-finals results (Aviva Centre, hard, USD 9.193.540, most recent results first):

• Alex De Minaur vs. Ben Shelton
• Andrey Rublev vs. Taylor Fritz
• Alexander Zverev beat Alexei Popyrin (18): 6-7 (8), 6-4, 6-3