Khachanov 🇷🇺 vs Ficovich 🇦🇷

🎾 Karen Khachanov 🇷🇺 vs Juan Pablo Ficovich 🇦🇷 – ATP Toronto R2 Preview

📅 National Bank Open · Outdoor Hard · Wednesday, July 31

🧠 Form & Context

Karen Khachanov (ATP #16)

• 🔄 Consistent force: A quiet 24–16 record in 2025 without major dips—solid if unspectacular form.
• 🎯 Masters track record: Semifinalist twice at the Canadian Masters—Toronto 2018 and Montreal 2019.
• ⚔️ Early exits: Often faces top-20 opposition in R2/R3—this is a golden chance to progress deeper.

Juan Pablo Ficovich (ATP #140)

• 🚀 Breakthrough moment: Qualified and won his first-ever Masters main draw match (vs Fearnley).
• 🌎 Clay-to-hard conversion: More known for clay prowess, but an 8–4 hard record in 2025 defies that stereotype.
• 📈 Momentum: Quarterfinal in Los Cabos shows confidence, but lacks experience at this level.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Power vs. Craft: Khachanov will look to dominate from the baseline with heavy forehands and a big first serve. Ficovich’s more clay-oriented rhythm game may struggle to absorb Khachanov’s pace on hard court.

Serve & Return: Khachanov holds a significant edge on serve—expect free points and offensive return games against Ficovich’s second delivery. Ficovich must counter with variety and strategic redirection to avoid getting bullied in rallies.

Experience differential: Khachanov has been here before and knows how to close out early rounds. Ficovich, while confident, enters uncharted waters against a top-20 opponent in a Masters setting.

🔮 Prediction

This is a stylistic mismatch. Khachanov’s explosive game, superior return pressure, and experience at this level make him the heavy favorite. Ficovich may hang early, but expect Khachanov to pull away with controlled aggression and relentless depth.

🧩 Pick: Karen Khachanov def. Juan Pablo Ficovich – 2 sets (e.g. 6–4, 6–2)