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From Tokyo to Toronto: Alexander Zverev and Karen Khachanov Meet Again in High-Stakes Rematch

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Steen Kirby | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 12:39 AM ET

Top seed Alexander Zverev is into the semifinals at the National Bank Open in Toronto after surviving a pair of three-set tests. The world No. 5 needed to dig deep in the third round against Matteo Arnaldi and again in the quarterfinals against Alexei Popyrin, but came through both in deciding sets. He’s now a win away from his fourth final of the season and his first at the Masters 1000 level since Paris last fall.

The German didn’t start the season at his best, but he’s played his way into form over the summer after being stressed and is back in the conversation as a contender for the US Open. His serve has been solid all week, and while he hasn’t breezed through the draw, he’s managed the key moments well enough to put himself in position for another big result.

Next up is a familiar opponent in Karen Khachanov, who’s also quietly putting together his most consistent stretch in years. The Russian reached the semifinals with wins over Emilio Nava (in three sets), Casper Ruud, and Alex Michelsen, who he handled comfortably on Friday. Khachanov hasn’t lost early in a tournament since May and is up to No. 13 in the live rankings. A good week in Cincinnati could move him back into the top 10 for the first time in years.

Khachanov hasn’t reached a final since last fall and hasn’t played in a Masters 1000 final since his breakthrough run to the Paris title in 2018, where he beat Novak Djokovic in the final. He’s hitting his forehand cleanly, staying steady in rallies, and handling pressure moments better than he did earlier in the season.

Zverev and Khachanov met in the gold medal match at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, with Zverev winning in straight sets. Zverev has also won their last three meetings, but Khachanov’s level this week has been the highest it’s been in years. It’s a compelling matchup between two top players who are rounding into form at just the right time, years after they battled in Tokyo.

Regardless of who wins, both Zverev and Khachanov have made strong cases as dangerous floaters heading into New York, and both are playing well enough to do real damage at the US Open.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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