In a massive upset at the 2026 US Open, Karen Khachanov knocked out third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime. Additionally, Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova narrowly escaped defeat to advance to the third round.

  • Karen Khachanov defeated third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in four sets.
  • Madison Keys survived five match points to beat Anna Bondar.
  • Amanda Anisimova overcame a scare from teenager Lilli Tagger.

Flushing Meadows, NY: The 2026 US Open witnessed one of its most significant upsets during the second round. Russian veteran Karen Khachanov produced a masterclass performance to eliminate the third seed, Felix Auger-Aliassime, with a scoreline of 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. The victory propels the former US Open semi-finalist into the third round.

Khachanov's Tactical Masterclass

After dropping a tightly contested opening set, Khachanov took complete control of the match. His statistical dominance was evident, winning 71% of his first-serve points and 67% of his second-serve points. He was clinical in crucial moments, converting seven of his 17 break-point opportunities. In contrast, the Canadian star, who reached the semi-finals last year, struggled to capitalize, managing only two break points in total.

Survival Instincts: Keys and Anisimova

The drama continued as 22nd seed Madison Keys was pushed to the absolute limit by Anna Bondar. In a grueling encounter, Keys managed to stave off five match points in the deciding set to clinch a 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5) victory. Despite committing 50 unforced errors, Keys' resilience proved to be the difference-maker.

Similarly, last year's runner-up Amanda Anisimova faced a stern test against 18-year-old sensation Lilli Tagger. After splitting the first two sets, Anisimova asserted her dominance in the decider, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-0. Tagger, who made history as one of the youngest players to win a Grand Slam main-draw match, was ultimately unable to withstand the veteran's pressure.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that these results signal a shift in the tournament's momentum. The early exit of a top-three seed like Auger-Aliassime creates a vacuum in the draw, opening massive opportunities for mid-tier players to make a deep run toward the trophy.

Resilience in high-pressure moments is what separates Grand Slam champions from the rest of the field.
Did You Know?: Lilli Tagger became only the second player born in 2008 or later to win a Grand Slam main-draw match.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Who is Karen Khachanov's next opponent?
A: Khachanov will face the winner of the match between Benjamin Bonzi and Ignacio Buse.

Q2: How many match points did Madison Keys save?
A: Madison Keys saved five match points during her dramatic victory over Anna Bondar.