MATCH REPORT | 2023 Paris Masters: Stefanos TSITSIPAS soars past Karen Khachanov to reach semi-finals

Stefanos Tsitsipas soared past Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Paris Masters, winning the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.

The World No. 6 has had a topsy-turvy season on the ATP Tour but it looks like he is ending it on a good note. After reaching the final of the Australian Open in January and winning the Los Cabos Open in August, Tsitsipas suffered a string of early exits until a run to the semi-finals of the European Open two weeks ago.

In Paris, the Greek player has seemed to be on good form again and even consolidated his qualification for the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin after his Round of 16 win over Alexander Zverev.

Tsitsipas was able to get ahead early on in his quarter-final match at the Accor Arena when he broke Khachanov in his second service game. From there, the Russian was unable to get back in the set and Tsitsipas got himself two set points "with no real fuss," as one commentator described it.

Although Khachanov fought back to save the first one with some powerful hitting, Tsitsipas converted the second set point to secure the opener.

He then carried this momentum on into the second set, building up three break points in his opponent's first service game and achieving the break to lead from the start.

However, Khachanov was able to briefly get back in the match, amassing three break points while trailing 2-3. Tsitsipas then proceeded to hit the ball into the net which caused Khachanov to break back and level the set at 3-3.

Nevertheless, it was not long before Tsitsipas had two more break points at 4-4, which he successfully converted to take the lead at a crucial time in the clash. The 25-year-old was then able to serve for the match, which he did with little trouble from his opponent.

Tsitsipas will now progress to the semi-finals at the Paris Masters for the third consecutive year, marking his 15th appearance at a Masters 1000 semi-final. He is set to face Grigor Dimitrov next, who ousted third seed Daniil Medvedev and eleventh seed Hubert Hurkacz to reach this stage.