Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Toronto match.
The quarter-final clash in Toronto will be a rematch of their meeting at the Australian Open in January, where Alex Michelsen caused an upset by defeating Karen Khachanov. This time, the Russian will be aiming to set the record straight and reach the semi-finals in Toronto for the first time since 2018.
Alex Michelsen
Alex Michelsen is enjoying a promising season but has yet to make a significant breakthrough at ATP level. He was eliminated in the first round of the last two Grand Slam tournaments and has lost 13 of his 21 career matches against top-20 ranked players. His game is built around a strong serve and aggressive play, but in Toronto, Michelsen has been landing his first serve at just 65% and is averaging around five double faults per match.
Karen Khachanov
Karen Khachanov, on the other hand, is in good form. A Wimbledon quarter-finalist and now repeating that run in Toronto, he has won 10 of 14 matches against opponents ranked between 20 and 50. His all-court game combines baseline power with variety and control, allowing him to dominate rallies. His serve has been particularly effective — in his win over Casper Ruud (6:4, 7:5), Karen won 97% of points on his first serve and has registered 25 aces across the tournament.
Alex Michelsen vs Karen Khachanov Prediction
With greater experience, superior physical conditioning, and more tactical versatility, Karen Khachanov looks well-placed to reverse the result of their Australian Open encounter. We’re backing him to win with a small games handicap.
