Russian-Israeli s Grand Slam dream run ends with semis loss to Djokovic timesofisrael.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from timesofisrael.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Aslan Karatsev at Melbourne Park. Photo: Tennis Australia/Morgan Hancock
Russian-Israeli tennis player Aslan Karatsev has become the first player in Australian Open history to reach the semi-finals of the tournament on their Grand Slam debut.
Karatsev was a virtual unknown before the Melbourne tournament started, but he has defeated several giants.
On Tuesday evening, he upset injury-hampered 18th seed Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in four sets: 2-6 6-4 6-1 6-2. He takes on world number one Novak Djokovic on Thursday.
On Sunday he stunned 20th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime by battling back from two sets down to upset the Canadian 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 at the Margaret Court Arena. On Friday, he blitzed eighth seed Diego Schwartzman in round three.
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Aslan Karatsev celebrates after defeating Bulgaria s Grigor Dimitrov in their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 16, 2021.(AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
Russian-Israeli tennis player Aslan Karatsev extended his extraordinary Australian Open run on Tuesday, becoming the first man to reach a Grand Slam semifinal on debut.
Karatsev, the world number 114, beat a hobbling Grigor Dimitrov 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2.
The 27-year-old has now knocked out three seeds on his run to the final four, and faces world number one Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Karatsev, whose career had hitherto been badly compromised by injury.
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