Dimitrov exhausted, Khachanov finally back in the semi-finals at Paris-Bercy
Karen Khachanov is finally back in the semi-finals of the Rolex Paris Masters. Winner of the tournament in 2018, he had never reached the last four since. The Russian remedied that situation on Friday, beating Grigor Dimitrov (6-2, 6-3) in the quarter-finals.
Khachanov was helped by his opponent's state of fitness. Hampered by the onset of an adductor injury in recent days, Dimitrov had already appeared to finish completely exhausted after his victory over Arthur Rinderknech on Thursday. The Bulgarian was therefore unable to defend his chances to the full, and the Russian didn't need to exert himself much to win.
Khachanov's task in Saturday's semi-final is likely to be far less straightforward, as he will be up against an in-form Ugo Humbert, who defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the Round of 16.
Paris-Bercy 
Features - Saudi Arabia, injuries, war, and business: the fascinating underbelly of tennis revealed by TennisTemple 
Davis Cup: between reforms, criticism and national culture 
The paradox dividing tennis: exhausted players and a saturated calendar, yet ever more exhibitions 
Training future champions: spotlight on the decline of the French public model facing private academies 