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He is ranked only 114th in the world and competing in his first major championship, but Aslan Karatsev gives the Melbourne Grand Slam an almighty shake.
Not only has the Russian qualifier qualified for the fourth round of the Australian Open today, he has yet to lose a set.
The 27-year-old started this year’s edition with a 6-3 6-3 6-4 first round victory over Italy’s Gianluca Mager, before shooting again in a 6-0 6-1 6 beat. -0 in the second round of the Belarusian. Egor Gerasimov.
But Karatsev delivered his most ominous warning yet in today’s triumph over world No.8 Argentinian Diego Schwartzman, taking 50 winners, including nine aces, en route to a 6-3 6-3 6-3 win.
And he makes a big impression on the tennis world.
“So impressed with what I see in terms of the game and the calm,” former Andre Agassi coach and now respected commentator Brad Gilbert said of Karatsev.
“It’s the first game I’ve seen Karatsev play this week, but his level of hitting the ball seems crazy,” tweeted Athletic’s Sam Vecenie.
“… The way Karatsev just destroyed Schwartzman was incredibly impressive. He’s a threat in this draw. Know he’s outside the top 100, but I don’t think Shapo (valov) or the FAA ( Felix Auger Aliassime) will be delighted to play. This guy. “
The dark horse, who now faces the winner of the Canadian duo, was delighted with his performance during his on-field interview.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” Karatsev said.
“First of all, qualifying – I was already happy.
“Then [it’s] been turn by turn, and I played very good tennis … I’m happy. “
In 2017, Karatsev was sidelined with a six-month knee injury he suffered while training in Spain.
He was outside the top 250 when COVID-19 forced the ATP Tour to be suspended in March of last year, but he went on to win 18 of his last 20 games on the ATP Challenger Tour to move up the ranks.
Karatsev today became the fifth qualifier in 21 years to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam championship.
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