Toronto, August 6, 2025 — In one of the most gripping matches of the tournament, Karen Khachanov defeated top seed Alexander Zverev 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4) to advance to the final of the 2025 National Bank Open.
The semifinal was a physical and emotional rollercoaster, lasting nearly three hours and filled with long rallies, heavy hitting, and high-stakes moments. Khachanov struck first, taking the opening set with strong serves and deep groundstrokes. Zverev, ever the fighter, bounced back in the second set with more aggression and precision.
In the deciding set, both players held their nerve and serve until a tense final tiebreak. Khachanov, who had saved a match point just before the breaker, surged back with five straight points to seal the win and deny Zverev a place in the final.
This win marks Khachanov’s first Masters 1000 final appearance since Paris 2018 and proves his ability to rise in the big moments.
With this victory, he now prepares to face rising American star Ben Shelton, who beat Taylor Fritz in the other semifinal. The final promises to be a thrilling clash of styles—Khachanov’s power and experience versus Shelton’s fearless energy and momentum.
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