Roland-Garros: Khachanov avoids the fifth set and defeats Kokkinakis

The Russian will play the winner of the match between Italian Lorenzo Sonego and Russian Andrey Rublev, the No 7 seed, in the next round

Tennis Majors

June 2, 2023

French Open 2023 Men's Singles •Third round • completed

See draw

K. KhachanovvsT. Kokkinakis

Russian Karen Khachanov, the No 11 seed, edged out Australian wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-4, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (5) to move into the last 16 of Roland-Garros in Paris on Friday.

Khachanov, ranked No 11, will play the winner of the match between Italian Lorenzo Sonego and Russian Andrey Rublev, the No 7 seed, next. He is the first man of the day qualified for the round of 16.

Respect 🤝#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/AVN3eK9pKL
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2023

The Russian is gunning for this third consecutive Grand Slam semi-final. He reached his first at the US Open last September and followed it up with a second at the Australian Open January.

The Russian overhauled Frenchman Constant Lestienne (3-6, 1-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-3) and won against qualifier Radu Albot (6-3, 6-4, 6-2) earlier in the tournament.

Kokkinakis, ranked No 108, was close to a fifth set but had a great journey in Paris. He defeated No 20 seed Daniel Evans (6-4, 6-4, 6-4) and Swiss Stan Wawrinka (3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3).

Other third-round matches (Stade Roland-Garros, clay, EUR 49.600.000):