Karen Khachanov finds confidence ahead of Novak Djokovic French Open clash

Karen Khachanov overcame Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7), 6-1 to move into the quarter-finals of the French Open.

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His next opponent is the No 3 seed, Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic breezed into the last eight after a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas.

According to The South African website’s Dave Marshall, during his press conference after his Round of 16 win, Khachanov likened elements of chess to tennis.

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“I like starting the day playing a few games of chess to get my brain working.

“From playing chess, I now see the court in a much bigger way. You see the possible shots which can make troubles to the opponent.”

Khachanov explained how making the semi-finals of last year’s US Open have positively impacted him.

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“Sometimes you’re confident, sometimes you believe in yourself, and you know how to do it, but you still want to see the results improve.

“After the US open, I really felt a step forward. This confidence and self-belief is there, no matter what the results.”

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Khachanov looks like a man very at ease with himself and life in general.

He is going to need every ounce of that new found confidence and self-belief for his next match against 22-time grand slam winner Novak Djokovic.

Dave Marshall is covering the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros exclusively for The South African website