Moscow-native Karen Khachanov saved five match points to beat Phillip Kohlschreiber 3-6 6-3 7-6 after 2 hours and 23 minutes at the VTB Kremlin Cup in Moscow. The Russian player saved six of eight break points and converted two of his four break point chances.
Kohlschreiber dropped seven points in five service games and broke serve at love in the sixth game after a forehand error from Khachanov. The German veteran player closed out the first set 6-3 after another record from Khachanov.
Khachanov saved two break points at the start of the second set and earned a break in the fourth game with a backhand down the line winner. He saved break point chances in the next game to hold on his serve. He closed out the set with a hold at 5-3 when Kohlschreiber sent a drive-volley winner.
Kohlschreiber broke serve in the eighth game and did not convert two match points in the next game. Khachanov saved another match point at 5-6 with a service winner setting up a tie-break. The Russian player built up a 5-2 lead. Kohlschreiber won four consecutive points to take a 6-5 lead. Khachanov saved the fourth match point with a forehand winner. He fended off the fifth break point and won three consecutive points to close out the win on his first match point as Kohlschreiber made his third match point.
“I can’t remember the last time I had a comeback like that. I had to fight and try to find my game. I am really happy that finally I can go through in my hometown of Moscow. In my hometown it is really a great atmosphere. To see so many people here for my second-round match, I did not really expect that. I have more drive and more energy when people are cheering for me like that”, said Khachanov.
Khachanov will take on Andreas Seppi, who came back from one set down to beat Roberto Carballes Baena 5-7 6 1 6-3 after 2 hours and 12 minutes. The Italian veteran dropped just 16 points on serve in the last two sets.
Adrian Mannarino knocked out 2013 Kremlin Cup finalist Mikhail Kukushkin 7-6 (7-4) 6-2. Both players traded early breaks at the start of the first set. Mannarino did not convert three set points at 5-4 and dropped serve in the next game. Kukushkin was not able to serve for the set and dropped his serve at 15. Mannarino got three mini-breaks to win the tie-break 7-4. Mannarino dropped just four points on serve in the second set and broke twice to win the second set 6-2.
Dusan Lajovic battled past Czech qualifier Lukas Rosol 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 after 1 hour and 52 minutes. Lajovic earned his only break in the opening game and held on his serve to seal the first set 6-4. The Serbian player built up a 5-3 lead in the second set, but he dropped his serve at love at 5-4. Rosol fended off a match point in the tie-break before winning it 8-6. Lajovic reeled off 12 of the last 13 points at 3-3 to close out the third set 6-3.
