Khachanov’s Shock Triumph Goes Viral: What Happened and What’s Next for the Russian Star

Karen Khachanov is quietly building momentum on the lawns of Wimbledon 2025, and Friday’s straight-sets win over Portugal’s Nuno Borges has pushed the 28-year-old Russian into the fourth round for the third time in his career. The 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-3 victory not only kept Khachanov’s title hopes alive but also extended an impressive grass-court run that has seen him drop just one set through his first three matches. Earlier in the week, Khachanov reached a significant personal milestone by recording the 300th tour-level win of his career, defeating American Mackenzie McDonald in the opening round. That landmark result underscored just how far the former world No. 8 has come since an injury-blighted 2024 campaign that saw his ranking dip outside the top 20. He has rebounded strongly this season, arriving at Wimbledon ranked No. 17 and carrying semifinal appearances in Rotterdam and Madrid. Next up is a tantalizing fourth-round clash with No. 3 seed Jannik Sinner, a matchup that will test Khachanov’s booming serve and forehand against one of the quickest baseliners on tour. Their head-to-head stands at 2-1 in Sinner’s favor, but Khachanov claimed their only previous grass-court meeting at Halle in 2023, something the Russian referenced in his post-match interview: “I like my chances on this surface; I feel the slice and low bounce suit my game.” Key to Khachanov’s resurgence has been improved fitness and renewed confidence in pressure moments. Against Borges he saved all four break points faced, won 82 percent of his first-serve points, and cracked 43 winners to just 19 unforced errors. His average first-serve speed of 128 mph consistently put the Portuguese under duress, while sharp net approaches—23 of 30 won—prevented long baseline exchanges that could sap energy late in the tournament. Fans and analysts alike are now revisiting Khachanov’s potential as a dark-horse contender. With big names like Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas already out, the draw has opened a pathway for the Moscow native to equal or surpass his career-best Slam finish (semifinal, Australian Open 2023). Betting markets have shortened his outright odds from 40-1 pre-tournament to 14-1 entering the round of 16, reflecting growing belief that his muscular baseline game can translate into a deep second-week run. Off the court, Khachanov continues to embrace a family-first approach, often traveling with wife Veronika and their young son David. He credits fatherhood for providing perspective: “Win or lose, I come back to the hotel and my son is just happy to see me—that keeps everything balanced.” With Sinner looming and Centre Court exposure guaranteed, the spotlight is now firmly on Karen Khachanov. If his serve stays hot and his forehand keeps finding the lines, Wimbledon 2025 could be the stage where the Russian reclaims a place among tennis’s elite and makes a legitimate push for a maiden Grand Slam crown.