Khachanov Faces Griekspoor In High-Stakes Vienna Showdown

The 2025 Erste Bank Open in Vienna roared to life on Monday, October 20, as the city’s iconic Wiener Stadthalle buzzed with anticipation for the opening round of matches. Tennis fans from around the globe tuned in, eager to witness a stacked field featuring some of the ATP Tour’s most dynamic talents, including a high-stakes clash between fifth seed Karen Khachanov and Dutch challenger Tallon Griekspoor. The evening session on Center Court promised fireworks, with both players aiming to turn the tide on recent struggles and stake their claim in this prestigious ATP 500 indoor event.

Khachanov, last year’s runner-up in Vienna and currently ranked world no. 10, entered his opener against Griekspoor with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over his form. The Russian star, who enjoyed a stellar summer run with quarterfinal showings across four tournaments and a final appearance in Toronto, had seen his fortunes wane lately. His most recent outing at the Almaty Open ended in disappointment, suffering a second-round exit at the hands of Jan-Lennard Struff on October 16 with a 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 scoreline. That defeat marked Khachanov’s fourth consecutive loss since his last tour victory at the US Open, leaving both fans and pundits questioning whether he could rediscover his winning touch in Vienna.

Standing across the net was Tallon Griekspoor, world no. 27, a player who’s also had to weather his share of turbulence this season. The Dutchman, 29, has posted a 13-14 record on hard courts in 2025, still seeking his first tournament title on the surface this year. Griekspoor’s last match came at the Stockholm Open, where he fell in a tightly contested three-setter to Jacob Fearnley (6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(5)) on October 13. While Griekspoor did notch a title in Mallorca and reached the final in Marrakech earlier this year, his recent form has been spotty—though a Round of 16 run in Shanghai hinted at a possible resurgence.

History between the two added an extra layer of intrigue. Their only prior meeting took place on an indoor hard court at Rotterdam’s ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, with Griekspoor emerging victorious in three sets (3-6, 6-3, 6-2). That result gave the Dutchman a psychological edge, but the betting markets still tipped Khachanov as the favorite. According to the latest odds from major sportsbooks, Khachanov carried a 66.7% implied probability to win the match (-200 on the moneyline), while Griekspoor was the underdog at +155. Predictive models, including a 10,000-simulation run by Dimers, echoed this sentiment, giving Khachanov a 63% chance to advance and a 61% likelihood of taking the opening set.

Khachanov’s stats on hard courts this season painted a picture of a player with solid fundamentals but in need of a spark. He posted a 13-12 win-loss record on hard courts in 2025, winning 81.7% of his service games and 23.0% of his return games. His break point conversion rate stood at 36.3%, ranking him 35th on tour. Griekspoor, meanwhile, had a slightly less impressive 19.8% return game win rate and held serve 78.1% of the time, converting 33.6% of his break points. The numbers suggested a tight contest, with both men looking to capitalize on any edge the indoor conditions might provide.

The match was scheduled for prime time, not before 8:15 pm local time on Center Court, ensuring a raucous crowd and maximum exposure. Fans unable to attend in person had a variety of viewing options: live streaming on tennistv.com (subscription required), free streams on bet365 for those with funded accounts, and broadcast coverage via Sky Deutschland in Austria, Eurosport in Russia, and Ziggo Sport in the Netherlands. The global reach of the event underscored Vienna’s status as a marquee stop on the ATP calendar.

Elsewhere in the draw, the tournament’s opening day featured a host of intriguing matchups. Third seed Alex de Minaur, chasing a spot at the Nitto ATP Finals, faced Austrian wild card Jurij Rodionov. Eighth seed Alexander Bublik, riding the momentum of a career-best season, squared off against Alejandro Tabilo, fresh off a title run in Chengdu. Luciano Darderi, who has thrived on clay but struggled on hard courts, took on the consistent American Brandon Nakashima. Meanwhile, qualifiers Aleksandar Kovacevic and Matteo Arnaldi battled for a place in the second round, each hoping to turn recent struggles around in Vienna’s fast indoor environment.

For Khachanov and Griekspoor, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Khachanov, eager to snap his losing streak and reassert his credentials as a top-10 stalwart, was the favorite on paper but faced a determined Griekspoor with a point to prove. The Dutchman, reflecting on his lone win against Khachanov, entered the match with confidence despite recent setbacks. “I know I can beat him—I've done it before,” Griekspoor was quoted as saying by local press ahead of the showdown. “It’s all about bringing my best tennis when it matters.”

Analysts and fans alike debated the keys to victory. For Khachanov, the serve was expected to be crucial—his ability to win free points and dictate rallies could help him weather any rough patches. Griekspoor, on the other hand, would need to capitalize on return opportunities and keep the pressure on, especially if Khachanov’s confidence wavered. Both players have shown flashes of brilliance indoors, but consistency has been elusive in recent weeks.

Adding to the drama, the Vienna Open’s status as an ATP 500 event means valuable ranking points and prize money are on the line. With the season winding down and the race to the year-end championships heating up, every match takes on added significance. Khachanov, seeded fifth, knows a deep run in Vienna could set him up for a strong finish to the year. Griekspoor, meanwhile, aims to recapture the form that saw him lift the Mallorca trophy and reach another final in Marrakech.

As the clock ticked toward match time, excitement built in the stands and across social media. Would Khachanov finally halt his slide and deliver on the promise that took him to the Toronto final? Or would Griekspoor double down on his head-to-head advantage and notch another statement win? With both players hungry and the Vienna crowd ready to erupt, the stage was set for a compelling contest under the lights.

While the outcome remained undecided at press time, one thing was clear: the Erste Bank Open’s opening night had all the ingredients of a classic. Fans will be glued to their screens as Khachanov and Griekspoor battle for a coveted spot in the Round of 16, each hoping to turn their season around on Vienna’s grand stage.