Karen Khachanov secured a straight-sets victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime during the opening round of the China Open in Beijing. The match, held on September 30, 2026, saw the Russian player dominate the Canadian in a clinical performance.
The 11 unforced errors that cost Felix Auger-Aliassime
Karen Khachanov utilized a disciplined approach to defeat Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday. According to the Associated Press,the Russian player capitalized on a shaky start from the Canadian, who committed 11 unforced errors in the opening set. This single service break proved decisive, allowing Karen Khachanov to dictate the tempo of the match from the outset.
The momentum continued into the second set, where Karen Khachanov increased the pressure by breaking the serve of Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third game. the match concluded with a definitive statement as Karen Khachanov broke the Canadian's serve once more in the final game,winning four consecutive points to seal the victory in straight sets .
A repeat of the Flushing Meadows four-set clash
This victory in Beijing is not an isolated incident but part of a growing trend of dominance by Karen Khachanov over Felix Auger-Aliassime. As the report says, the two previously met at Flushing Meadows in New York, where Karen Khachanov won a grueling four-set match in the second round of the U.S. Open.
That specific run in New York eventually took Karen Khachanov to the U.S. Open semifinals, where he was halted by the eventual champion, Alexander Zverev . By repeating this success in Beijing, Karen Khachanov has demonstrated a tactical superiority over the Canadian that appears to persist across different tournament environments .
From Quebec City to the Bologna Final 8
The loss in Beijing comes as a sharp contrast to the recent success of Felix Auger-Aliassime in team competition. Just ten days prior to the China Open, Felix Auger-Aliassime helped lead Canada to a 3-1 victory over France in Quebec City, a result that secured Canada's place in the Davis Cup Final 8. This upcoming championship event will take place in Bologna, Italy, from November 24-29.
However, the disparity between his team performance in Quebec City and this singles defeat raises critical questions. It remains unclear if Felix Auger-Aliassime is struggling with individual consistency or if the rapid transition to the Beijing environment has impacted his conditioning. The report does not provide insight into whether the Canadian is carrying an injury or if this is simply a psychological hurdle against Karen Khachanov .
Novak Djokovic's 29-0 streak at the China Open
Attention now shifts to the night session, where the sixth-seeded Novak Djokovic is scheduled to face Nuno Borges. The 39-year-old Novak Djokovic enters the match looking to rebound from a surprising first-round exit at the U.S. Open on August 31, marking his first competitive appearance since that loss.
Despite the recent setback in New York, Novak Djokovic possesses a legendary history in Beijing, boasting a perfect 29-0 record at the China Open. while the Serbian has won the tournament six times, his last title in Beijing dates back to 2015. This current campaign represents a quest for Novak Djokovic to reclaim a crown he has not held for over a decade, while maintaining one of the most impressive venue-specific streaks in professional tennis.
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