Semi-final on debut: Unknown qualifier Karatsev beats hurt Dimitrov

The remarkable story of Aslan Karatsev still has at least another chapter, after the Russian qualifier took advantage of an ailing Grigor Dimitrov and stormed into the Australian Open semi-finals on Tuesday.

Karatsev, in his maiden grand slam, let alone his maiden quarter-final, lost the first set but rebounded to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2.

Grigor Dimitrov lost his quarter-final, playing hurt.Credit:Getty Images

Sensing this contest was slipping away, Karatsev saved five break points to hold serve in the second game of the set. He soon had the advantage when he broke Dimitrov, the latter capping a poor game with a wild smash volley that went long. Yet, as he had done in the first set, Karatsev immediately relinquished this advantage.

He contjnued to fight and had another break point at 40-30 to take a 5-4 lead only for the scrambling Dimitrov to hustle through a 15-shot point and force deuce. But another opportunity came and Dimitrov wilted, giving his opponent a chance to serve for the set. Karatsev had three set points and needed only one to complete the job.

It was Karatsev who scored the early break in the third set, a cracking double-handed backhand across court securing a 2-1 lead. Dimitrov began to wilt in the 30-degree heat and even opted to not sit down at the change of ends at a time he physically began to experience problems. Karatsev, this time, held serve, his forehand increasingly becoming a weapon.

What a result for the Russian qualifier. Credit:AP

Dimitrov’s next service game – the fifth of the set – was bewildering, for he appeared to give up and had even began leaving the court before Karatsev’s winning return had flown by.

“He’s done … there is no drive now out of the legs. There is not much point playing like this,” former Australian player Todd Woodbridge said during Nine’s commentary.

Trailing 1-5, Dimitrov could barely serve out the final game of the set, and again trudged from the court before his opponent had completed the winning return to confirm a 2-1 sets lead.

Dimitrov then had a medical time out, his afternoon all but over.

with Reuters

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