Karen Khachanov vs Novak Djokovic Prediction & Betting Tips - Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

Prediction published on 06/10/2022, 12:00  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 06/10/2022 at 18:41 in Tennis Predictions

Fourth seed Novak Djokovic takes on unseeded Karen Khachanov in the Astana Open quarter finals. Djokovic is bidding to make it two title wins in a a row after winning in Tel Aviv last week. The world number seven is only 12th in the ATP Tour Race. However, his win at Wimbledon means that if he is in the top 20 after the Paris Masters, he'll be in the finals. He should have few problems in achieving that target. The highest ranked player beaten in Israel was Marin Cilic who was 16th. The other three matches won in that tournament were all against opponents ranked outside the top 10. The win made it three titles in his last four singles tournaments played with only Rafael Nadal beating him, though he did lose to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Laver Cup. This week, Djokovic has beaten Cristian Garin and Botic van de Zandschlup for the loss of only six games with three sets won 6-1.

Karen Khachanov is expected to put up stronger opposition. At the end of August he was ranked 31st but has now risen to 18th. The climb back up the rankings for the former top 10 player has been achieved due to his run to the semi-finals of the US Open, though he didn't beat anyone ranked above 15th and a match against Jack Draper was won on a retirement. Khachanov has had a good year with several quarter finals and semi-finals reached and being a losing finalist in Adelaide back in January. He's had one meeting with Djokovic this year, losing to him in the last four of the clay court Serbian Open. That made it 6-1 to Djokovic in meetings between the pair with Khachanov being beaten in the last five. The only match he won was a big one though as he defeated Djokovic to win the 2018 Paris Masters. So far in this tournament, he's beaten Maxime Cressy and ninth seeded Marin Cilic. He had a real battle against Cilic after losing the first set 6-2.  Back Djokovic to win this in straight sets.