Tennis

Ugo Humbert, the French tennis star, has apologized to Karen Khachanov after being accused of unsportsmanlike conduct during their Rolex Paris Masters semifinal clash. The incident sparked controversy, with Khachanov criticizing Humbert's behavior as "no class."Humbert, who reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final on home soil, initially believed Khachanov was experiencing cramps during the match. However, it was later revealed that the Russian had suffered a Grade 2 sprain in his right leg, prompting him to withdraw from the tournament.In a lengthy Instagram post, Humbert expressed regret for his actions, stating that he had no knowledge of Khachanov's injury. He explained that he had been focused on the intensity of the match and had misinterpreted the situation."I'm sorry to see that this has been misunderstood and even worse, described as a lack of fair play," Humbert wrote. "I have great respect for Karen and for all the opponents I've had to meet so far."Khachanov, who had been on a hot streak after winning the Almaty Open title and reaching the final in Vienna, was visibly upset after the match. He accused Humbert of celebrating while he was injured, saying, "To (celebrate) while you see the other guy is on the ground? OK, see you next time."Humbert has since reached out to Khachanov personally to apologize and clear up the misunderstanding. He acknowledged that his behavior could have been better and vowed to learn from the experience.Despite the controversy, Humbert's performance in Paris was impressive. He upset Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals and reached his first Masters 1000 final on home soil. The 26-year-old is now ranked world No. 14, one spot shy of his career-high ranking.

Ugo Humbert, the 26-year-old French left-hander, has made history by becoming the first Frenchman to reach the singles final of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Paris since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2008. Humbert's remarkable journey to the final has been marked by stunning victories over world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz and unseeded Aussie Jordan Thompson.In the semifinals, Humbert faced a stern test against former champion Karen Khachanov. Despite losing the first set in a tiebreaker, Humbert rallied back with the support of the partisan Accor Arena crowd. Khachanov, who had won the Paris Masters title in 2018, took a medical timeout for a leg injury in the final set, which hampered his movement and allowed Humbert to seize control of the match.Humbert's success in Paris is a testament to his hard work and determination. He has previously won six ATP titles, including the 250 event in Metz and the 500-level event in Dubai earlier this year. However, reaching the final of a 1000-level event is a significant milestone in his career.In Sunday's final, Humbert will face No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev. Humbert has a 6-1 record in ATP finals and has won his last 13 matches indoors in France. However, Zverev is a formidable opponent, having won the Paris Masters title in 2021.Regardless of the outcome of the final, Humbert has already made his mark on the tournament. His victory over Khachanov has inspired French tennis fans and has shown that he is capable of competing with the best players in the world.

Karen Khachanov's recent resurgence has propelled him back into the Top 10 contender conversation. After claiming the Almaty title, he reached the Vienna final, defeating notable opponents like Matteo Berrettini and Alex de Minaur. His impressive run continues in Paris, where he has overcome Christopher O'Connell and the in-form Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.Despite a challenging year marred by injuries, Khachanov has rediscovered his form. His improved break rate stems from a strategic shift in his return game, allowing him to extend rallies and capitalize on his baseline prowess. TennisViz and Tennis Data Innovations data indicate a significant improvement in his shot quality across all aspects of the game.Khachanov's upcoming opponent, Alexei Popyrin, poses a threat with his powerful serve. However, Khachanov holds a 3-1 head-to-head advantage, including a straight-set victory in Doha earlier this year. Khachanov's recent form and tactical adjustments suggest he is well-equipped to handle Popyrin's serve.Khachanov's resurgence is driven by his determination to end the season strongly and build momentum for 2023. While Popyrin's recent win over Daniil Medvedev is impressive, Khachanov's current form and tactical improvements make him the favorite in this matchup.

World No. 4 Alexander Zverev faces a stern test against No. 22 Karen Khachanov in the Round of 32 at the Cincinnati Open on Thursday, August 15. Zverev has enjoyed a stellar 2024 season, boasting a 46-15 record with two titles and a runner-up finish at Roland Garros. However, his recent form has been shaky, raising concerns ahead of his clash with Khachanov.Khachanov, on the other hand, has endured a challenging year but is coming off a dominant straight-set victory over Francisco Cerundolo. The Russian is known for his resilience on fast courts and his ability to push opponents to the limit.Despite Zverev's impressive season, his recent performances have been alarming. His loss to Arthur Fils in the Hamburg final and his struggles against Lorenzo Musetti and Sebastian Korda have exposed weaknesses in his game, particularly his forehand. If he fails to address these issues, Khachanov could exploit them.Khachanov's all-court ability and confidence-boosting win over Cerundolo make him a formidable opponent. He has also defeated Zverev twice in their head-to-head history, suggesting he is not intimidated by the German.Given Zverev's recent struggles and Khachanov's resurgence, the Russian is a tempting pick to cover +1.5 sets. His ability to extend sets and his potential to steal one or two could prove decisive in this intriguing matchup.

India's top-ranked singles player Sumit Nagal faces a daunting task in the opening round of the French Open as he is set to take on world number 18 Karen Khachanov of Russia on Sunday. Nagal, ranked 94th in the world, earned a direct entry into the main draw of the Grand Slam after his consistent performances on the tour. He became the first Indian male player to qualify for the French Open main draw since Prajnesh Gunneswaran in 2019.However, Nagal's form leading up to the clay Grand Slam has been far from ideal. He lost to Holger Rune in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters, before missing the Madrid and Rome Masters. The 26-year-old then made first-round exits from the Bordeaux Challenger and Geneva Open earlier this month.On the other hand, Khachanov, who has been seeded 18th, had reached the quarterfinals last year. He won the Qatar Open 250 in February and enjoys an impressive 21-7 record this season.Nagal's match against Khachanov will be a stern test for the Indian, who has never faced the Russian before. Khachanov is a powerful hitter with a big serve, and he will be looking to use his experience and ranking advantage to his benefit.Nagal, however, is known for his fighting spirit and determination. He has a strong baseline game and is capable of producing some stunning shots. If he can stay focused and play to his strengths, he has a chance of causing an upset.The match is scheduled to be played on Court number 7 at the Roland Garros in Paris, France, on Sunday, May 27. It will start after 3:45 PM IST and will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network. It will also be streamed live on SonyLIV app and website.

Karen Khachanov, the former world No. 8, is currently navigating a rebuilding season after injuries disrupted his promising start to 2023. However, amidst his on-court challenges, Khachanov has remained committed to supporting causes close to his heart, collaborating with fellow tennis stars and legendary figures.Khachanov's Armenian heritage has been a driving force behind his philanthropic endeavors. Partnering with Homenetmen Glendale Ararat, he organized a "charity match" with Andrey Rublev, the 2023 ATP Fan Favorite Doubles Team, to raise funds for Artsakh refugees. The event, held between the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open, raised an impressive $100,000."I've always expressed my support for Armenia and Artsakh," Khachanov explained. "It's important for me to be attached to this country."Khachanov's support for Armenia extends beyond the tennis court. He frequently writes messages on the camera lens after match victories and has previously collaborated with Homenetmen Glendale Ararat.In addition to his charitable work, Khachanov also had the opportunity to connect with tennis legend Andre Agassi at a gala dinner preceding the charity match. The eight-time Grand Slam champion shared his insights and advice with Khachanov, who was eager to learn from the icon."I was surprised by how much he's into tennis," Khachanov said of Agassi. "He knows everything about everybody. It was great to hear his advice and consider some changes."Khachanov's commitment to both his sport and his philanthropic pursuits is a testament to his character. As he continues his rebuilding season, he will undoubtedly draw inspiration from the support of his fans and the causes he holds dear.