Antwerp 2020: Karen Khachanov vs Dan Evans Preview, Head-to-Head, and Prediction for ATP European Open

Antwerp 2020: Karen Khachanov vs Dan Evans Preview, Head-to-Head, and Prediction for ATP European Open
Karen Khachanov vs Dan Evans

Third seed Karen Khachanov will play against unseeded Dan Evans in the quarterfinals of the European Open in Antwerp. This will be their second meeting.

Match details

  • Fixture: Karen Khachanov vs Dan Evans
  • Date: 23 October 2020
  • Tournament: European Open 2020
  • Round: Quarterfinal
  • Venue: Antwerp, Belgium
  • Category: ATP 250
  • Surface: Indoor hardcourt
  • Prize money Approx. €394,800

Karen Khachanov vs Dan Evans: Match Preview

Karen Khachanov

Russian World No. 17 Karen Khachanov comes into this match having secured a quarterfinals spot for the second time in the hardcourt season.

With a 19-12 win-loss record this year, he hasn’t had the best of seasons since his breakthrough in 2018 – the year he won the prestigious Paris Masters. However, he made a decent run into the French Open 2020, making it into the fourth round before losing to finalist Novak Djokovic in straight sets. He also lost to Djokovic in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Open earlier this year. That said, his performances have been unconvincing throughout, and his potential isn’t shining through at the moment.

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His high seeding (3) gave him a bye into the second round of the tournament. The second round was a well-contested affair between him and German Zizou Bergs. The Russian had to buck up and ultimately made a comeback from a set down to win the match with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 score.

Meanwhile, his opponent is the ever-confident Dan Evans. The British World No. 35 arrived at the tournament with a 13-11 record in the season. However, with no titles in his name to date, he comes into this match being the underdog. His best finish came at the Dubai Open – a semifinals appearance, losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas. However, since then, he has had a disappointing string of first-or second-round exits in most of the tournaments he appeared in.

His first-round match in the tournament was a three-setter, with him prevailing over Italian qualifier Salvatore Caruso. The second round was much more exciting; he produced some of his best tennis against Frances Tiafoe to win the match in straight sets.

Karen Khachanov vs Dan Evans: Head-to-Head

The two players have met once previously, in the second round of the 2020 Rotterdam Open. Evans prevailed in the match, clinching it with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 scoreline.

Thus, the head-to-head stands at 1-0 to Dan Evans.

Karen Khachanov vs Dan Evans: Match Prediction

Dan Evans

Despite Dan Evans being the underdog in this matchup, Karen has been more inconsistent in recent times than his British opponent. Evans also maintains his form throughout the match, something that might irk the explosive Russian.

If Karen manages to keep his unforced errors in control and finds a way to break Evans’ serve, he might find a way to win. However, Evans has only been broken thrice in the entire tournament, so that may be a tough ask.

Ultimately, Evans’ great countering game, consistency and shot variety will help him eke out a victory here.

Match Prediction: Dan Evans to win in three sets against Karen Khachanov.

Also Read: Antwerp 2020: Grigor Dimitrov vs Milos Raonic Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction for ATP European Open