Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev reaches final 4 in his debut after knocking top seeds

Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev extended his extraordinary Australian Open journey to the semi-finals on Tuesday, Russian world number 114 beating Grigor Dimitrov 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 to become the first man to reach a Grand Slam semi-final on debut.

They 27-year-old player has knocked out three high ranked players on his run to last four, where he will be facing world number one Novak Djokovic or US Open finalist Alexander Zverev. 

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Karatsev after winning the match said that it was an unbelievable feeling. It was unbelievable because his career had hugely been compromised due to an injury. “It was tough at the beginning for me to hold my nerves, but I tried to find a way to play,” he added.

He is the lowest-ranked sportsperson, at 114, to make it to the semi final at a Grand Slam since 2001, when Goran Ivanisevic won ranked at 125.

After a five-setter with Felix Auger-Aliassime in round four, Karatsev had an easier ride against Dimitrov who was wincing with pain from the third set.

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The Bulgarian 18th seed, who was barely able to serve, took a medical timeout after the third set but his movement was always hampered and he limped off the court after Karatsev’s win.