Was Khachanov-Del Potro a change of the guard

[George Turner]

Del Potro has been the best ballbasher of his generation, occasionally managing wins vs the big three with huge hitting and might have been a persistent threat to them had it not been for injuries.

But he was beaten by Khachanov, in a match where they looked quite similar players. Is this the moment where the ballbashing torch is passed on and Khachanov becomes the most feared ballbasher in the game?

Del Po is 4-0 vs Thiem. Can Khachanov spring an upset and bash through Thiem in the quarters?

 

[mike danny]

Nah. It was just Delpo not at his physical best.

 

[Russeljones]

Khachanov already has more shots and feel than Delpo ever had.

 

[Nostradamus]

Kachanov is not that good. he got destroyed in Milan by Chung couple of years ago

 

[aldeayeah]

Delpo's backhand is a shadow of its former self.

 

[J B]

It was a classic crush fest and Del Potro was not physically in shape to keep up.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Kachanov is not that good. he got destroyed in Milan by Chung couple of years ago

 

[Sudacafan]

Chung what?

 

[Sudacafan]

Nah. It was just Delpo not at his physical best.

Which is more rare every day.

 

[zagor]

Del Potro has been the best ballbasher of his generation, occasionally managing wins vs the big three with huge hitting and might have been a persistent threat to them had it not been for injuries.

But he was beaten by Khachanov, in a match where they looked quite similar players. Is this the moment where the ballbashing torch is passed on and Khachanov becomes the most feared ballbasher in the game?

Del Po is 4-0 vs Thiem. Can Khachanov spring an upset and bash through Thiem in the quarters?

What do you call Stan then? The guy ballbashed his way to 3 slams.

Besides, Kachanov still needs big wins/scalps in slams to be feared as the premium ballbasher. Beating a tired Delpo is not really gonna make anyone quake in their boots.

 

[Standaa]

Yeah just like Fed vs. Tsits was changing of the guard at the AO.

Getouttahere.

 

[Steve0904]

No. An impressive win, but not earth shattering. Beating Delpo on clay isn't really going to scare the top guys. They've all beaten Delpo on clay too.

 

[skip1969]

How anyone beating DelPo on clay became a barometer for anything, I'll never know.

(And I loves me some DelPo.)

 

[DerekNoleFam1]

Delpo is not a great claycourter, but has caused more problems to the Big 3 than any other player ( except maybe Wawrinka for Djoker).
This match is no passing of the torch.

 

[EllieK]

DelPo has been injured. 100% Delpo would have won

 

[EloQuent]

Khachanov is no Delpo. He might look like a Helmworth but he's no Thor.

 

[smalahove]

When watching the two move, it's mind blowing that they're exactly the same height. Kachanov moves like a player 10 cm lower, whilst Delpo moves like one 10 cm higher

 

[Sudacafan]

DelPo has been injured. 100% Delpo would have won

A 100% Delpo is not possible anymore since 2009. He will be either injured, tired, sad, gassed, whatever.
By the way, please note that I am a big fan of his.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Del Potro has been the best ballbasher of his generation, occasionally managing wins vs the big three with huge hitting and might have been a persistent threat to them had it not been for injuries.

But he was beaten by Khachanov, in a match where they looked quite similar players. Is this the moment where the ballbashing torch is passed on and Khachanov becomes the most feared ballbasher in the game?

Del Po is 4-0 vs Thiem. Can Khachanov spring an upset and bash through Thiem in the quarters?

Khachanov is not nearly as consistent as Del Po, or hit as hard, nor serve as hard. No, simply, no.

 

[JMR]

Kachanov is not that good. he got destroyed in Milan by Chung couple of years ago

Results from "a couple of years ago" are essentially irrelevant when a player is 23 and all his best results have come in the last 12 months or so.