US Open title contender and former semi-finalist crashes out in second-round shock

Felix Auger-Aliassime’s US Open campaign ended in stunning fashion on Thursday as the third seed was stunned by Karen Khachanov in four sets on Louis Armstrong Stadium. The Canadian, a semi-finalist in New York last year, had been among the favourites in a wide-open men’s draw but never recovered after dropping the opening set in a tiebreak. Khachanov, ranked 50th in the world, produced a disciplined performance to claim only his second top-10 Grand Slam victory and reach the third round of all four majors in a single calendar year for the first time.

How the match unfolded

Auger-Aliassime began strongly, breaking early to lead 3-0, but a lapse in concentration allowed Khachanov back into the contest. The Russian saved seven of nine break points and broke twice himself to force a tiebreak, which he edged 7-5 after Auger-Aliassime sent a backhand long while chasing a volley. The second set swung Khachanov’s way as he took a 3-0 lead, though he required three set points to seal it after saving two break chances at 15-40.

The momentum never shifted back. Khachanov broke at love in the third set to race to 4-1 and closed it out comfortably. In the fourth, he opened a 4-0 lead, and Auger-Aliassime’s body language visibly faded. The Russian finished with a booming serve that the Canadian could not touch, sealing a 6-7(5) 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory.

What it means for both players

For Khachanov, the win confirms his return to form after a patchy US Open warm-up schedule. He had lost his opening match in each of his three tune-up events but showed resilience under pressure. “I tried to give my best performance, fighting, fighting,” he said after the match. “I’m super happy to get this win.” The Russian has now reached the third round at every Grand Slam in 2024, a milestone he described as significant.

For Auger-Aliassime, the defeat marks the highest-ranked seed exit at this year’s US Open so far. Once tipped for a deep run in a crowded field, his campaign ended abruptly. Khachanov suggested his opponent may have been dealing with physical issues, though no official explanation was provided. The Canadian’s energy visibly waned as the match progressed, leaving questions about his readiness for the tournament’s demands.

What happens next

Khachanov will face his next opponent in the third round, while Auger-Aliassime’s US Open is over. The Canadian’s early exit reshuffles the draw and hands an opportunity to lower-ranked players eyeing a deep run in New York.

Khachanov’s victory was built on solid serving and opportunistic returning. He converted seven of his 13 break chances against a player who had looked sharp in patches but faded when it mattered most. The Russian’s ability to stay composed in tight moments—saving seven of nine break points—was the difference between two players who entered the match with contrasting momentum.

The defeat leaves Auger-Aliassime’s US Open legacy in doubt. A year after reaching the semi-finals, his 2024 campaign lasted just two rounds. With the draw now clearer, the question is whether another contender can rise to fill the void—or if the unpredictable nature of Flushing Meadows will produce a new surprise finalist.