Karen Khachanov may have exited the Shanghai Masters in the round of 16, but the Asian swing remains special to the Russian, who won his first title on the ATP Tour three years ago in China. In today's edition of Beyond the Baseline, the world number nine talks to Wang Dong about that memorable victory in Chengdu, as well as his continuing rise in the rankings this season. 

Looking back to the first title in his career, the 23-year-old Russian was still excited: "That is my first ATP title, for sure it stays in my memory forever. It's like whatever you do, you break into the 300, you break into the top 100, you remember those kind of moments. So for sure the first title will always stay."

And the Moscow native aimed higher, determined to capture bigger titles. Two years later, Khachanov hoisted his maiden Masters 1000 trophy in Paris last November.

"Obviously, I have been saying this all the time, that's what I am working for to play big matches, big tournaments to try to succeed there. That is my goal, so of course if we take three years before, it's a kind of process," said the world number nine, who believed playing against top players helps him to be mentally strong. "I played more matches, I gained more experience in the big stage against top guys."

Khachanov credits his achievements to hard work, the 23-year-old believes the old saying –“practice makes perfect”– and constantly works on skills like footwork and moving to net.

"I am tall and when coming to the net… for sure I can cover but also I need to have the idea where I'm playing, and where the opponents can pass me. So it's kind of things you have to do with hours of practice," said the 2018 ATP Paris Masters champion. "As you are hitting two hours on the baseline, as you are serving everyday. I think you need to have the same time to practice on something you want to improve." 

As for the future, the world number nine thinks it's more competitive to stay at the top of the young generation. "I wish so. I will be the next guy who rises in the tour and stays there, but there are many more guys, and I think our generation is pretty strong," and the Moscow native also hopes to see more Russian tennis stars rise on bigger stages.