US Open 2026 Shock: No. 3 Seed Felix Auger-Aliassime Eliminated by Karen Khachanov in First Week

New York – One of the biggest shocks of the 2026 US Open occurred on Thursday when No. 3 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada) fell to Russian Karen Khachanov 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. The defeat makes Auger-Aliassime the highest seed eliminated so far in the tournament and raises serious questions about the Canadian's ability to perform at Grand Slams. The match took place on Louis Armstrong Stadium in front of a packed crowd. Auger-Aliassime started confidently, winning the first-set tiebreak 7-5. However, that was the only bright spot in his day. From the second set onward, Khachanov dominated, winning 18 of the remaining 25 games and closing the match in 2 hours 48 minutes. Tactical analysis shows Khachanov made smart adjustments after losing the first set. Using his powerful baseline game, flat and heavy groundstrokes, he consistently targeted Auger-Aliassime's backhand wing. The Canadian, known for his all-court game and strong serve, could not maintain a high first-serve percentage after the opening set. A noticeable drop in physical and mental intensity led to two consecutive 6-2 sets. This is not the first time Auger-Aliassime has struggled at Grand Slams. Despite reaching a career-high ranking of No. 3, he has only made one Grand Slam semifinal (2026 US Open). His results at ATP 500 and 250 events are often far better than at majors. This raises questions about his ability to handle pressure and maintain form over five sets. For Karen Khachanov, this win is less surprising given his pedigree. He reached the US Open semifinals in 2026, defeating top players like Rafael Nadal along the way. He also won the Paris Masters 1000 in 2026 and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 8. His aggressive hard-court game is always a threat. The context of the 2026 US Open adds drama. Days earlier, No. 4 seed Novak Djokovic suffered a shocking first-round loss – the first of his career at Flushing Meadows. Top seed Alexander Zverev nearly became the first No. 1 seed to lose in the first round since 2026, needing five sets to beat Lorenzo Sonego. Meanwhile, Gael Monfils celebrated his 40th birthday with a win and announced his retirement after this season. The early exits of Auger-Aliassime and Djokovic open the draw for others. Zverev, despite unconvincing play, remains a strong contender. Taylor Fritz (No. 9) and Learner Tien (No. 14) represent the rise of American tennis. Monfils' farewell story adds emotional depth. Data-wise, the match followed a familiar pattern: Auger-Aliassime won the first-set tiebreak but then completely lost control. This reflects a mental and physical issue rather than tactical failure. Khachanov, with his experience, exploited the drop-off ruthlessly. Looking ahead, Auger-Aliassime faces significant points-defense pressure if he had a deep run in 2026. Conversely, Khachanov has a chance to gain valuable ranking points. The 2026 US Open is witnessing a generational shift, with big names exiting and new faces rising. Can Auger-Aliassime overcome his Grand Slam demons? Can Khachanov replicate his 2026 semifinal run? Or will Zverev prove his No. 1 ranking deserves a major title? These questions will be answered in the coming days in New York. This article is based on in-depth analysis of match data and tournament context. Data is never in a hurry; those who hurry are the ones who are wrong. And at this US Open, those who hurried have paid the price.