After first-round loss in Dubai, Khachanov trying to stay positive

Karen Khachanov is staying positive following his third first-round defeat in a row, saying he is recovering from the effects of illness and still trialling new racquets.

The 21-year-old Russian fell to Nikoloz Basilashvili in Dubai, having also exited in the opening round of his two previous events at Sofia and Rotterdam—on top of another first-round exit at Doha.

Khachanov said he had been ill during the European indoor events but was now training as usual.

"Yeah, I was a little sick. Many players in the European swing they had some virus. Unfortunately I had it also. Not as long maybe as other players," he told press before his first round. "Yeah, obviously now I'm full charged. I trained week before."

He arrived in Dubai a few days before the event began.

"I was feeling good in practice again," he said.

But that didn't help as he fell in straight sets to Basilashvili in windy conditions, though Khachanov said he is still looking to turn things around at his next two Masters events.

Khachanov also decided to change racquets during the offseason, returning to a company he played with when he was younger. But he acknowledged that he's still trialling frames and looking for something that suits him to his satisfaction.

"I don't like to blame something. You need to feel comfortable with it," he said. "It's not about the racquet. All racquets are good, I say like this. It's just maybe some racquets fits some players."

In 2018, Khachanov won the Paris Masters, defeating Novak Djokovic in the final, and reached No. 11 in the rankings. He says that he's not concentrating on his competition as he aims to get more big wins again.

"For me personally, I'm looking more at myself. For sure the main priority is to be healthy. Unfortunately if you are not feeling great, you cannot compete in general," he said. "Then on the other side, I have to look at myself, every week you are looking what advantages you have, what disadvantages you have, what you are doing well."

But the Paris champion acknowledges he is "trying to get this consistency in my level"—something he has yet to do this season.

Khachanov is No. 12 in the rankings.

ATP/WTA Acapulco

• Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev, Juan Martin del Potro and Sloane Stephens headline the Abierto Mexicano Telcel. Watch live coverage on Tennis Channel Plus beginning Monday, 2/25 at 5:00 pm ET.

ATP Dubai

• Watch Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori, Marin Cilic and Karen Khachanov live from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship starting Monday, 2/25 at 5:00 am ET

ATP Sao Paulo

• Tennis Channel Plus features live coverage of the Brasil Open beginning Monday, 2/25 at 10:30 am ET