Auger Aliassime vs Khachanov Prediction 3 September 2026
🔊 Felix Auger-Aliassime and Karen Khachanov had contrasting first rounds at the US Open: the Canadian faced a much stiffer test than the Russian. The two now meet in a match where their head-to-head record is perfectly level. Auger-Aliassime also has ranking points to defend following his semi-final run last year, while Khachanov has already matched his result from the previous edition of the tournament. Whether that extra pressure affects the Canadian, who is the betting favourite, remains to be seen.
Head-to-Head
📊 Felix Auger-Aliassime and Karen Khachanov are level in their head-to-head, with two wins apiece. Notably, three of their four best-of-three matches went to three sets, while the other lasted 23 games.
Head-to-head statistics Auger Aliassime - Khachanov
Felix Auger Aliassime Player Overview
Felix Auger-Aliassime spent over a month recovering from a Wimbledon injury, missing the home hard-court Masters in Montreal. In the build-up to the US Open he played only in Cincinnati, where he made little impression, going out in the round of 16. Fitness concerns followed him to New York, where he faced a stiff test from Rinky Hijikata (7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5). The large number of points dropped owed something to the world No. 4's aggressive style - he hit 48 winners but also made 50 unforced errors.
The Canadian is winning 78% of his service games and is active on return, converting 48% of break points. His average of nearly 16 aces per match was borne out against Hijikata, where he served 17 - though he also hit 11 double faults. Serving is not his only weapon: at 193 cm, he is notably mobile along the baseline and can switch from defence to counter-attack quickly.
Match Results: Felix Auger Aliassime
Karen Khachanov Player Overview
Karen Khachanov arrived at the summer hard-court swing in good health, but his results dropped sharply. After Wimbledon he failed to win a single match across three North American Series tournaments. At the US Open, however, the former semi-finalist appeared unaffected by that slump, dismissing Roman Andres Burruchaga 6-3, 6-0, 6-1 in just over an hour and a half. Khachanov was particularly solid on return, converting all 7 of 7 break points, and his first serve held up well too, winning 84% of points.
When in form, Khachanov has a strong serve - he holds 77% of service games and hits more than 11 aces per match. His points-won percentage (53%) and sets-won percentage (67%) did not fall dramatically even during his recent difficult spell, though in 2 of his 3 summer hard-court matches he lost without winning a set. Khachanov is a classic baseliner, which is hardly surprising given his height of 198 cm. His return game, though, is not as effective as his upcoming opponent's, and he can sometimes drop too far behind the baseline without attacking from there often enough.
Match Results: Karen Khachanov
Key factors
- Karen Khachanov has won more than 17.5 games in 20 consecutive best-of-three matches.
- The head-to-head record is level, including on hard courts.
- None of their previous meetings has ended in fewer than 23 games.
- The Russian player expended less energy in the first round of the US Open.
Expected scenario
Given the players' physical stature, the match is likely to be a prolonged, high-intensity affair. Both will probably rely on powerful first serves, though Khachanov's four aces in the first round do raise some questions. That said, the Russian may catch the Canadian out with errors during aggressive defensive play - this is precisely the kind of situation where Khachanov's caution could pay off. If Rinky Hijikata managed to take a set off Auger-Aliassime, one can only imagine what a former world No. 8 might do.
Total Games Prediction
Karen Khachanov has consistently gone over his individual total across a run of recent matches. His style can appear straightforward at times, but it may work well against Felix Auger-Aliassime's aggression. We think the Russian will pick up plenty of points not only from his own winners but also from the Canadian's errors.
⭐ Editor's Pick
The Canadian, seeded third at the tournament, showed strong attacking intent in his opening match against Hijikata, hitting 17 aces and 48 winners, though his game came with the usual high error count - 11 double faults and 50 unforced errors. Khachanov, by contrast, closed out Roman Burruchaga comfortably in three sets, conserving more energy ahead of this match.
With an even head-to-head record (2-2), on the fast New York hard courts neither player is likely to maintain total dominance throughout, which could see the match break into spells of momentum shifts. Those spells may allow the Russian underdog to put up a significant game count. Our prediction: Khachanov Total Games - Over 17.5.
No comments
Betting Tips: Felix Auger Aliassime - Karen Khachanov
.svg)
Other predictions
