ATP French Open – Karen Khachanov vs Sebastian Ofner

ATP French Open – Karen Khachanov vs Sebastian Ofner

🧠 Form & Context

Karen Khachanov
⚙️ Under the radar but solid: Despite an underwhelming 2025 season, Khachanov has avoided major slip-ups. He’s lost 12 matches—8 against top-20 players.
💡 Dependable in early rounds: When favored, he tends to deliver. Straight-set win over Aleksandar Vukic in R1 showed off that steadiness.
⛔ Revenge angle: His worst-ranked loss of the year came just last week in Geneva… to this very opponent, Sebastian Ofner.
🧠 Mental scars?: Suffered a brutal collapse here last year against Jozef Kovalik in R2 — and must overcome that trauma to regain rhythm at Slams.

Sebastian Ofner
🛠️ Comeback on fire: Returned from injury in March and has quickly reestablished himself with R3 in Rome, SF in Geneva, and now a confident R1 win over Struff.
🎯 Confidence booster: Already owns a win over Khachanov just last week, and beat Korda & Fognini en route to the R16 in Paris in 2023.
📈 Career-best surge: The Austrian’s level has been quietly rising since 2023, and his clay consistency has surprised many.
⚠️ Physical load: Played 7 matches in 10 days (including Geneva run) — could be a factor in longer rallies or deeper sets on slow Paris clay.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Khachanov is the more powerful and experienced player at Grand Slam level, but he’s up against someone who just beat him and has played with more intensity and variety in recent weeks.

That said, the conditions in Paris are slower than Geneva, which doesn’t favor Ofner’s flat hitting as much. Khachanov, with more rest and knowledge of his recent loss, should be more prepared tactically and mentally. The key will be whether he can impose his game early and avoid letting Ofner dictate rallies.

Expect Ofner to throw in his signature drop shots and backhand slices to test Khachanov's lateral movement, but the Russian's physicality and depth could wear the Austrian down, especially if fatigue sets in.

🔮 Prediction

Prediction: Khachanov in 4 sets – Physical edge and deeper Slam pedigree prevail.