CHENGDU, October 2, 2016
Karen Khachanov is projected to soar nearly 50 spots in the Emirates ATP Rankings after winning his maiden ATP World Tour title in Chengdu. The world number 101 from Russia defeated fifth seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 in Sunday’s final.
Khachanov fired 14 aces, winning 74 per cent of his first service points to prevail in two hours and 39 minutes. The 20-year-old Russian is the third different #NextGen winner this year, joining Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev. Khachanov is the ninth first-time winner on the ATP World Tour this year and the third player to prevail while residing outside the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings.
“I can’t believe I won my first title. I am very happy. I have been working hard and I am happy to achieve my first goal,” told Khachanov, who took away $148,860 in prize money as well as 250 ATP ranking points.
“In the second, I was thinking to win the set and keep fighting. I was playing against a guy much higher-ranked than me, so I just had to focus on every goal and keep going. You cannot lose focus and be relaxed. I was just pushing myself to the limit and I got the second set and then the third.”
Albert Ramos-Vinolas was bidding to become the 10th Spanish champion on the ATP World Tour this year and claim his second title of the year, following his triumph in Bastad.
“I fought as much as I could. And I think I didn’t play bad. I can play better but he played so well and what can I say, I’m not happy but maybe I’ll be happy tomorrow. It was not so good today, but also he was serving so well and so fast. That’s why I didn’t return so well,” Ramos said.
Klaasen And Ram Take Doubles Title
Raven Klaasen and Rajeev Ram boosted their chances of qualifying for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals as they captured their second ATP World Tour team title after Halle. The top seeds defeated Pablo Carreno-Busta and Mariusz Fyrstenberg 7-6, 7-5 in one hour and 29 minutes.
“It’s their first time together but we know them pretty well individually. Carreno Busta is obviously playing some very good tennis at the moment. We were just talking about it. When he hits the ball, it’s coming very hard. They combine really well as a left and right combination. We really had to play some good stuff out there to get the win. Pretty pleased with our performance,” told the 33-year-old Klaasen, who captured his 11th ATP World Tour doubles title. Ram lifted his 10th trophy and added:
“This week we came with a goal in mind to improve our performance after the US Open. We felt like we didn’t play as well as we could have there. We got through this whole tournament without losing a set. I think it’s a really good step in the right direction for us to finish of the season.”
