Karen Khachanov has moved into the second round of the Rolex Paris Masters following an unexpected retirement from Canada’s Denis Shapovalov, who was struggling with a right leg injury during their match on Monday.
Karen Khachanov advanced to the second round of the Rolex Paris Masters after Canada’s Denis Shapovalov retired due to a right leg injury during their match on Monday. Khachanov started strong, winning the first set 6-3, but Shapovalov rallied back to take the second set in a tiebreak. In a dramatic turn, he built a 4-1 lead in the third set before deciding to retire while still ahead.
This victory sees Khachanov, the 2018 Paris Masters champion, moving forward in the tournament. He is set to face Portugal’s Nuno Borges on Wednesday, aiming for a place in the round of 16. The match showcased the intense competition at the prestigious tournament, where injuries can drastically alter the course of play.