Khachanov confirmed for NZ Classic

A second top 10 player for the men’s ASB Classic has been confirmed, with Russian Karen Khachanov joining compatriot Daniil Medvedev.

The world No 8 is one of the rising stars of tennis and like world No 4 Medvedev is 23 years old. Khachanov this year broke into the top 10 for the first time.

Last year he won the Paris Masters, beating Novak Djokovic in the final, as well as tournaments in Moscow and Marseille.

Although he hasn’t won any titles this year, he has displayed more consistency, making it through to the quarterfinals at

Roland Garros, a run which included a win over Juan Martin del

Potro, of Argentina.

In August,

Khachanov reached the semifinal of the

Montreal Masters with another win over

Germany’s Alexander

Zverev in the quarterfinals, before being defeated by

Medvedev.

Khachanov has played in Auckland twice before. In 2016 he lost to Lu Yen-Hsun in the first round, while last year he went out in the quarterfinals, losing to del Potro.

When he played at the Classic in 2018, he was regarded as a great prospect, but now ensconced in the top 10, he is truly one of the world’s elite players.

‘‘I’ve enjoyed playing the ASB Classic before and I’m happy to be returning,’’ Khachanov said. ‘‘I missed it last year when I would have liked to have played.

‘‘They have been very good to me from early in my career and I am really looking forward to coming back. ‘I have some great memories, my last match against Juan Martin in front of a full crowd at night was such a great atmosphere and I really hope I can do that again.’’

Classic tournament director Karl Budge is excited to have secured another top 10 player for the 2020 tournament.

‘‘Karen is a great player and one that we’re excited that he’s chosen to return to the ASB Classic,’’ Budge said.

‘‘He’s definitely one of the current generation of players who’s challenging the dominance of the top three.’’

The ASB Classic will take over Auckland for two weeks in January, with the women’s week on January 6-12, followed by men’s week on January 13-18.

Karen Khachanov