FILE PHOTO: Tennis – Australian Open – Hisense Arena, Melbourne, Australia, January 18, 2018. Karen Khachanov of Russia hits a shot against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. REUTERS/Toru Hanai
February 25, 2018
(Reuters) – Russian Karen Khachanov outplayed Czech Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-2 to reach the Marseille Open final on Saturday, setting up a title showdown with Frenchman Lucas Pouille.
World number 47 Khachanov was impeccable on serve, saving the meager three break points Berdych had throughout the duel.
The 21-year-old has now beaten former world number four Berdych in both their meetings having also prevailed at last year’s French Open.
Pouille reached his second final of the season after a 6-3 7-6(6) defeat of Belarusian qualifier Ilya Ivashka.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
