TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 30, 2021: ROC athlete Karen Khachanov defeats Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain during a men s semi-final singles tennis match against at the Ariake Tennis Park as part of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, Olympische Spiele, Olympia, OS Sergei Bobylev/TASS PUBLICATIONxINxGERxAUTxONLY TS10A62B
18th seed Karen Khachanov faces 31st seed Yoshihito Nishioka in the fourth round of the 2023 Australian Open on Sunday.
The Russian star made it to the quarterfinals in the Adelaide International 1 and the Adelaide International 2 before coming to the Australian Open.
Khachanov picked up a comfortable win against Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the first round in straight sets 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, 6-0. In the second round, Khachanov did well to get the better of Jason Kubler in four sets 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. Khachanov produced another clinical performance to edge past 16th seed Frances Tiafoe in the third round 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (11-9). Khachanov hit 20 aces in this match and has now made it to the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time in his career.
The Japanese No. 1 has made it to the fourth round of a major for the first time in his career. With his third-round win, Nishioka registered his 100th tour-level win and became the third Japanese player to do so.
Nishioka has been quite impressive this season and picked up wins against the likes of Holger Rune and Mackenzie McDonald before coming to the Australian Open. In the first round, Nishioka got the better of Mikael Ymer with a comprehensive performance. In the second round, Nishioka produced another fine display to beat Dalibor Svrcina in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. The world No. 33 once again defeated Mackenzie McDonald in the third round 7-6 (8-6), 6-3, 6-2.
Karen Khachanov has a slim 2-1 lead in the head-to-head scoreline against Nishioka. The Japanese star defeated Khachanov in their most recent encounter in the 2022 Citi Open in straight sets.
Prediction: Yoshihito Nishioka to win in five sets.
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