Tennis: Khachanov stuns Del Potro to reach maiden Slam quarter-final

Russia's Karen Khachanov celebrates after winning against Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro at the end of their men's singles fourth round match on day nine of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 3, 2019. PHOTO: AFP

PARIS (AFP) - Karen Khachanov reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final on Monday (June 3) when he defeated Juan Martin del Potro 7-5, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 at Roland Garros.

Tenth seed Khachanov is the first Russian to reach the last eight in Paris since Mikhail Youzhny in 2010.

The 23-year-old will face Austrian fourth seed Dominic Thiem, the runner-up to Rafael Nadal in the 2018 final, for a place in the semi-finals.

"It was the best match ever for me at a Grand Slam," said Khachanov who seems to like the French capital having won the Paris Masters in the east of the city last year.

"Let's go for more." Khachanov fired 57 winners past the two-time Roland Garros semi-finalist Del Potro with victory assuring the Russian of a first ever spot in the world top 10.

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