Watch: Khachanov on Safin Comparisons

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Watch: Khachanov on Safin Comparisons

Karen Khachanov has been compared to fellow Moscow native and baseline powerhouse Marat Safin.

The 21-year-old Russian has a strong reaction to comparisons with the two-time Grand Slam champion—he appreciates it.

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"Of course I like it," Khachanov told the Marseille Open 13 channel in the video above. "I mean it's nice that people compare you with an ex number one, you know. It feels great.

"Hopefully, I can show it on the court and can achieve what he achieved. I know him personally. He's a really nice guy and I appreciate when he came, a couple of times, to talk to me. So of course it's a good comparison."

Grigor Dimitrov was dubbed "Baby Fed" earlier in his career because of his stylistic similarity to Roger Federer. Borna Coric has been compared to the young Novak Djokovic and the young Jack Sock evoked comparisons to Andy Roddick.

Khachanov said he's inspired by Safin but isn't an imitator of the former world No. 1.

"At the end you want to be yourself," Khachanov said. "I want to be myself, but I like to take some things from different players. I think that's how you build your own image, your own character and your own game."

Photo credit: Skistar Swedish Open

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