Joao Fonseca failed to shift his Basel form to Paris. The young Brazilian conquered his first ATP 500 title last week but fell to Karen Khachanov in the second round of the Paris Masters.
The Russian scored a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory in an hour and 50 minutes for a place in the last 16. Karen made the difference behind the second serve and got broken only once in the second set.
The 2018 champion kept the pressure on the young gun and secured three breaks from ten opportunities. Both players fired more winners than unforced errors, with Joao standing on a 32-31 ratio.
Khachanov finished the duel with 23 direct points and 18 mistakes, outplaying his rival in the shortest and most extended exchanges. The former champion needed under half an hour to claim the opening set.
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He clinched a break in the second game after a backhand down the line winner and welcomed Fonseca's backhand mistake in game four for another break and a 4-0 advantage.
Karen served for the opener at 5-1 and fired a service winner to wrap up a strong set of tennis. A teenager denied four break points in the first game of the second set.
He secured his only break in the second game and served well to move 4-1 in front. The Brazilian saved two break points in the seventh game and remained in front.
Joao landed an ace in the ninth game to wrap up the set 6-3 and force a decider after an hour and 13 minutes. They provided seven comfortable holds at the start of the final set.
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Khachanov moved 4-3 in front with a drop shot winner and landed a smash winner on the return in the next one for a break and the crucial advantage. The Russian served for the win at 5-3 and landed a smash winner to seal the deal and move through.
