Karatsev makes history with win over Dimitrov
TENNIS
MELBOURNE: Qualifier Aslan Karatsev continued his stunning run into the Australian Open semifinals yesterday, beating an ailing Grigor Dimitrov 26, 64, 61, 62 to become the first man in the open era to reach the last four in his maiden grand slam tournament.
The world No 114 was also only the fifth qualifier to reach the last four of a men’s major in the open era and the lowestranked player to reach a grand slam semifinal for two decades.
The Russian, whose success at getting into the Australian Open came on his 10th attempt to qualify for a grand slam, will meet eighttime champion Novak Djokovic or Alexander Zverev for a place in the final.
‘‘It’s an unbelievable feeling, first time main draw, first time semis,’’ the 27yearold said.
Karatsev confessed to battling with nerves at the start of the contest on Rod Laver Arena and his errorprone first set was indeed forgettable.
He had battled back from two sets down to beat Felix AugerAliassime in the fourth round, however, and soon tightened up his game to storm back into the match in the second stanza.
Dimitrov looked shellshocked as Karatsev pounded howitzer shots over the net at him — faltering on serve and wandering around the court listlessly in the 30degC heat.
The 29yearold Bulgarian took a medical timeout for treatment on his back after losing the third set but was only able to show flashes of his refined game in the fourth and at one point apologised to his box.
Karatsev showed no mercy to his hampered opponent and broke the 18th seed twice to take a comfortable lead, sealing his place in the last four when Dimitrov flapped a backhand into the net.
With his ATP Cup teammates, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, facing off in a quartefinal today, Russia is guaranteed to have two players in the semifinals and could yet provide both finalists.
In the women’s draw, the brute force of Naomi Osaka crushed the artistry of Hsieh Suwei yesterday as the Japanese former champion charged into the semifinals with a 62, 62 win.
Osaka attacked Hsieh’s weak serve with gusto and the Taiwanese giant killer quickly wilted under the pressure of her grand slam quarterfinal debut.
Osaka had a torrid time in her last Australian Open clash with Hsieh in 2019, having to come back from a set and a break down on the way to claiming the championship.
So the Japanese third seed was thrilled with her form against the Taiwanese maverick in a 66minute clinic.
‘‘Yeah, definitely really happy,’’ 23yearold Osaka said.
‘‘Really happy with how I played today. Every time I play her it’s a real battle and, despite the score, this was again a real battle today.’’
World No 1 Ash Barty became the first local hope in 37 years to reach three consecutive Australian Open quarterfinals after thumping American Shelby Rogers 63, 64 on Monday night. — Reuters