Karen Khachanov’s start to the 2026 tennis season has not gone to plan.
The world number 17 has been stunned by Michael Mmoh on Thursday in the Hong Kong Open second round.
Mmoh, ranked 285th on the ATP Tour, won two qualifying rounds and a main draw match against Alejandro Tabilo before defeating Khachanov.
Novak Djokovic is the tennis GOAT… Prove us wrong
Mmoh defeated the 2018 Paris Masters champion 7-6, 7-6 in Hong Kong.
For Khachanov, this was a devastating blow, but one he must put in the past quickly ahead of the 2026 Australian Open.
Karen Khachanov’s poor record against Michael Mmoh
This is not the first time Khachanov has been upset by his American peer. In fact, the Russian has failed to defeat Mmoh [pictured below] in either of their two meetings on the ATP Tour.
At the 2023 US Open, Khachanov and Mmoh played each other for the first time. Mmoh won the contest comfortably, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.
Mmoh’s 2025 victory has seen his ranking skyrocket. The American player is set to move up 61 places to world number 224 after defeating Khachanov in Hong Kong.
As for Khachanov, he has not lost any ranking points; at the 2025 Hong Kong Open, Khachanov lost his first match to Kei Nishikori.
Khachanov will now look ahead to the Kooyong Classic – an exhibition tournament held from January 13 to 15.
What would be a successful season for Nick Kyrgios in 2026?
Alexander Bublik, Frances Tiafoe and Nick Kyrgios are just some of the other names competing in Kooyong.
Karen Khachanov’s best Australian Open performance
In 2023, Karen Khachanov began his Australian Open campaign by defeating Bernabe Zapata Miralles in straight sets.
He then beat Jason Kubler, Frances Tiafoe and Yoshito Nishioka, before moving past Sebastian Korda, 7-6, 6-3, 3-0 [retired].
The Russian’s run was ended in the semi-finals by Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek star, who has enjoyed a resurgent 2026 campaign so far, defeated Khachanov 7-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3.
Tsitsipas lost in the final to Novak Djokovic, 6-3, 7-6, 7-6.
