Khachanov sets sights on ATP top-10 return

Murray Wenzel |

Russian talent Karen Khachanov feels he still belongs in the world’s top 10 and is adamant he’ll climb back there ahead of a season start in Adelaide.

Khachanov reached a peak of No.8 in the world in 2019, becoming the first Russian since Mikhail Youzhny in 2011 to break into the top 10.

He’s since slipped down the rankings and will arrive at the Adelaide International as the No.2 seed and No.29 in the world.

Compatriots Daniil Medvedev (No.2), Andrej Rublev (No.5) and Aslan Karatsev (No.18) have all leapfrogged him in the meantime, but the 25-year-old considers himself far from done.

“The main goal is for me to be back in the top 10, not only top 20,” he said.

“I know what I need to do to be there, I feel like I belong there.

“It’s a process, daily work that I want to put in, but I’m very motivated.”

French veteran Gael Monfils is the No.1 seed at the event, which commenced on Monday, while Marin Cilic and Francis Tiafoe round out the top four seeds.

Australians Alex Bolt, Aleksandar Vukic, John Millman and Thanasi Kokkinakis will all be in action, with the latter two due to meet in the first round.

AAP