World number 114 Karatsev makes history, qualifies for Semi-Finals on Grand Slam debut

The Australian Open has reached its business end as the players battled it out for a place in the last 4 of the tournament.

Russian world number 114, Aslan Karatsev made history as he defeated Bulgarian world number 18, Grigor Dimitrov 2-6 6-4 6-1 6-2 to qualify for the semi-final in his first ever Grand Slam appearance. The 27 year old was ranked 253rd in the world before the pandemic last year, and will rise into the world’s top 50 when the new rankings are released next Monday. He faces the biggest test of his career in the semi-final when he faces world number one, Novak Djokovic. Djokovic qualified after defeating Germany’s Alexander Zverev from one set down 6-7 6-2 6-4 7-6. Djokovic now has an incredible 18 match winning run in the Australian Open as he looks to win his 18th Grand Slam title.

In the women’s event, World number 3, Naomi Osaka defeated 35 year old Hsieh Su-Wei 6-2 6-2 in straight sets to qualify for the semifinals of the Australian Open. She would now face arguably the greatest female tennis player of all time, Serena Williams in the semis. Williams navigated her way past world number two, Simona Halep with a dominant display that saw her win 6-3 6-3 comfortably. Williams is now only two wins away from winning her 24th grand slam and matching Margaret Court’s haul.