Karen Khachanov produced a stunning performance to thrash Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-2 to set up a meeting with Lucas Pouille in the final of the Open 13 Provence in Marseille.
The world number 47 started the match off well as he got into his big-hitting rhythm early stunning the Czech Republican. As the Russian started to create break point opportunities, Berdych struggled with protecting his serve in the big moments. Eventually the pressure told from the talented Russian as he broke in the fifth game for a 3-2 lead. Khachanov produced a precise and accurate first set as Berdych struggled to cope with Khachanov’s big retuning as a break of serve wrapped up the set in 39 minutes.
The second set was even worse for the world number 17 as he failed to manufacture a break point in the set. The Russian, who hit 8 aces past Berdych broke twice during the second set to seal his place in tomorrow’s final in Marseille. It will be Khachanov’s second ATP World Tour final after reaching his first in Chengdu in 2016.
The Russian will now play world number 16 Lucas Pouille in the final after he defeated Belarusian qualifier Ilya Ivashka 6-3 7-6(6) in just under an hour and a half. The Frenchman produced the better serving in the first set and eventually broke a stubborn Ivashka in the sixth game for a 4-2 lead. Pouille continued his accurate serving to seal the first set in 33 minutes.
The third seed continued his brilliant shot-making in the second set and stormed into an early 3-1 lead. However Ivashka played with a lot more freedom, knowing that he was trailing in the match and broke Pouille for the first time to level the set at 3-3.
The Frenchman continued the pressure on Ivashka and had three match points on his own serve in the 12th game. Despite this Ivashka showed fighting qualities and broke back to force a second set tiebreak. However it only delayed the inevitable as Pouille took the tiebreak 8-6 and booked his place in the final.
Pouille will look to win his second title in three weeks after claiming the Montpellier title a couple of weeks ago. Tomorrow’s final will be the first meeting between Lucas Pouille and Karen Khachanov.
