Talk:Karen Khachanov

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Playing style[edit]

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Standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 192lbs, Khachanov is an aggressive offensive baseliner who is also extremely capable at defending and counterpunching. His first serve is typically flat and delivered up the T of the service box and has been recorded at speeds exceeding 135 mph (217 km/h). His second serve is usually out wide and can be either a kick serve or slice serve.

He possesses a deep, heavy, penetrating forehand which, in assistance from his extreme Western grip, he uses to impart large amounts of spin, pushing opponents far behind the baseline and setting up volleys aggressively at the net. He has received significant praise for his two handed backhand, which he uses both offensively and defensively. He can hit this backhand groundstroke open-stance and on the run, which has been cited as one of his main weapons in his gruelling, close match with Rafael Nadal at the 2018 US Open and straight sets victory over Novak Djokovic at the finals of the 2018 Paris Masters. His mobility for a 6 foot 6 tall man has also been lauded, and he can retrieve balls from difficult angles on the court to get back on defence; some stating he has better movement than many shorter players his age. His overall game has been likened to Marat Safin, as both men possess devastating groundstrokes off both wings, and have excellent movement for their tall heights.

Areas which have been cited as needing improvement are his forehand on the run as it isn’t as punishing a weapon when under stress. He also has been advised to adopt a better return of serve in order to challenge big servers more effectively.