SUMMARY
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Defending champion Novak Djokovic ended the remarkable run of Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev to ease into his ninth Australian Open final with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win on Thursday, February 18.
In one of the more improbable semifinal matchups at a Grand Slam, Djokovic was broken twice by the world No. 114 Karatsev but ensured there would be no Russian revolution under the lights of Rod Laver Arena.
As a long tournament took its toll on Karatsev, Djokovic raised his game in the 3rd set and sealed the win with an ace to trigger a roaring ovation from Serbian fans in the crowd.
Djokovic will face either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final.
Djokovic’s tournament appeared on a knife edge when he suffered an abdominal injury during his third round match against Taylor Fritz less than a week ago.
Yet he has put that aside and will have two days off to recover before Sunday’s final.
“This is the best I felt during the entire tournament,” he told Jim Courier on court.
“Felt great, I could swing through the ball, no pain, just best match so far, and it came at the right time and I’m thrilled to feel this way.
“Recovery is priority right now. I’m feeling the ball well, I’m playing well, I had enough match play, enough practice so right now it’s just gathering all the necessary energy for the most important match of the Australian Open.”
Djokovic has never failed to win the tournament after making the semifinals and he will be heavily favored to claim a record-extending ninth title at his favorite Slam on Sunday.
While Karatsev would have been regarded one of Djokovic’s more unlikely semifinal opponents, he put up a decent show as fans returned to Melbourne Park following a five-day lockdown.
He broke Djokovic twice in the match and came back from 5-1 down in the 2nd set to briefly rattle the Serb.
Karatsev saved two set points as Djokovic served at 5-4, and swung freely to prise two break points from the champion.
Djokovic fired two huge serves to cancel the threats before sealing the set and took the momentum into the 3rd as he broke Karatsev in the opening game.
Karatsev rallied again to level to 2-2 but a long tournament appeared to take its toll as Djokovic raced away and sealed the match with an ace.
“We need to give him a hand. Huge congratulations to him,” Djokovic said of the 27-year-old Karatsev, who reached the main draw of a major for the first time after failing to qualify at 9 previous Grand Slams.
“On his debut he reached semifinals, I don’t think it’s ever happened in the history of tennis, so well done to him. He played a great tournament.” – Rappler.com
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