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It’s been a competitive semi-final meeting so far for Novak Djokovic & Aslan Karatsev. When these guys fired off side by side. Having won a few points each towards the initial halfway mark. But Karatsev stalled however with a lack of feel in the next run. While Djokovic dominant at the same time as his decline. As the Serbian wins Stage 1 6-3.

Nothing much changed for a while when Djokovic still dominant to keep himself distanced away from Karatsev. He was just narrowly ahead of the Russian 2-1. Before he was almost close to win Stage 2 easily at the 1st attempt. But Karatsev did not give up though with the fightback. When he almost denied Djokovic his possible 2nd stage win altogether. Despite some great courage in return. He was still so short in the end by Djokovic for the Stage 2 win 6-4. Aslan Karatsev needs to balance consistency if he was to win the 3rd stage. As well as Stages 4 & 5 for a harder route for the Final.

Djokovic grabbed the early headstart 2-0 to begin the 3rd stage of play. But Karatsev halted his progress with two points to tie the lead before the Serbian reached the halfway line first 3-2. Before Djokovic bridged a decent next run. Where he able to find the sweet spot & execute his finishing well in the end. Novak Djokovic is now a finalist of the 2021 Australian Open. After this win in straight sets.

The final score was done in one hour and 53 minutes: 6-3, 6-4 & 6-2.

It may not be the night Karatsev unable to continue his fairytale run out of nowhere. He already has the foundations to build each set in which pressured Djokovic on occasions. Not bad at all in the 1st half run. But a lack of 2nd half executions ultimately cost him the game in the end. Bugger not to see Karatsev make it. We wish him good luck.

And well played on Djokovic tonight where he was so good to clean Karatsev out in straight sets. His 2nd half runs was the strongest where he executed so well. And closed out Karastev on each portions. Mainly the 1st and 3rd ones are easier. After he always fired off side by side with Karastev. The 2nd set was the hardest he can overcome though. But he is now here as a finalist. He will either face either Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas this Sunday.

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It was a close 1st half battle of Stage 1 to kickstart the Quarter Finals. With Grigor Dimitrov facing off qualifier Aslan Karastev. Having gone side by side 2-2.

But it is Dimitrov who drove in the front seat during the 2nd half. When he pulled away a big lead to win Stage 1 6-2. As Karastev was blown away with a lack of feel. In which was difficult to catch up.

But the 112th qualifier seed from Russia made up lost time. With the early lead 3-2 after the initial break 2. Despite a few tough duels in the deuces part. As Karastev needs this stage win to keep himself in the game. As well another two more to help advance in the Final Four.

Dimitrov though is not giving Karastev an easy ride. Nothing much changed between these two. Both players are battling hard trying to get this Stage 2 win. Having tied 4-4 apiece. Before Karastev got the upper hand ahead of Dimitrov 5-4. And just closed Dimitrov out too easily for the Stage 2 win 6-4. The lead remains 1-1 by Dimitrov & Karastev.

The 3rd stage saw Dimitrov gone ahead up a bit. But he still struggled with a lack of middle ground to catch up. Where the Bulgarian was easily hammered by Karastev 6-1. With Karastev matched a functional 1st & 2nd half run. In which assisted his 2nd stage win after the 3rd set. He just need one more Stage win to book into the Final Four at the Aus Open.

In the end nothing has changed between the two players. With Dimitrov struck at neutral since Stage 3. Despite having the foundations to kickstart each stage portion. But unfortunately did not have the finishing tools to keep Karastev quiet. When Dimitrov picked up an injury before Stage 4. As the 112th seed from Russia won the 4th stage. Plus the win & semi-finals berth.

This Quarter Final game was done in two hours & 32 minutes. Scoreline at Rod Laver Arena is 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 2-6. The campaign has to end here from Grigor Dimitrov. Got a great start with the early 1st set win as seen with the foundations built. But faltered for the majority having unable to close him out through the deuces. Before the conversion plays began & eventually fell down with injuries. Despite having the ability to start off a game.

He is disappointed not to overcome Karastev. Where he does not let any opponent a free a ride against him. Just not his day to remember. Good luck. While a fairytale run still going from Aslan Karastev. Might have been fired off slowly in the 1st set. But was able to catch up & connect the dots. With a great close battle to overcome Dimitrov. As he is a tough opponent. Then pulled off a big lead that is too easy to execute this game.

We will keep an eye on Novak Djokovic v Alexander Zverev tonight. Where the winner of this other Quarter Final tie will meet Karastev. And face this emerging star from Russia in the 1st semi-Final.

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The World No.20 from Canada Felix Auger-Aliassime fired off well in the 1st half of Stage 1 3-1. When Aslan Karatsev may have held the Canadian back a bit. Having fired back to desperately save his Stage 1 bid for the mini win. But was narrowly beaten to the punch by Auger-Aliassime with a three point gap. Auger-Aliassime wrapped up Stage 1 in just 39 minutes of play this afternoon. This score is 6-3.

Nothing much has changed with Auger-Aliassime held on the build up base that worked so well. Despite a little headstart Karatsev made after the 1st break. Auger-Aliassime however bridged the 1st & 2nd half runs this time too easy. With another productive stage to tie two mini wins up after just one hour of play 6-1. While Karasev still frustrated with a lack of feel on each run so far this afternoon. The Russian will need to find a solution somewhere to save his game.

Karatsev began to reach boiling point with a huge roar over his conversion play. He still has the ability to get off the mark having scored a point first. As well as the first half run that bounced back as it was in Stage 1. Where he lead Stage 3 for the first time ahead of Auger-Aliassime 3-2. Before Karasev was able to slow down his progress. As he denied Auger-Aliassime a straight sets route. With a stage win by himself after the 3rd set 6-3 that goes into Stage 4.

Auger-Aliassime however began to report the lack of middle ground this time on his end. Where the Canadian was blown away by Karatsev. Having found plenty of difficulties catching up in the 1st & 2nd half play. Before Karatsev blocked his chance to close out a win at the 2nd attempt. As Karastev won another stage to keep himself in the game. Despite a late challenge from Auger-Aliassime 6-3.

Both players are now tied 2-2 apiece going into the 5th & final stage of the afternoon. Karatsev would like to wrap it up with a decent comeback after the first two stage losses. Auger-Aliassime on the other hand can still turn his recent slump around. With just one more stage win needed to book a spot in the Quarter Final on Tuesday.

As this game just crossed the three-hour mark Karatsev still maintained his build up base momentum. Where he began to distance himself lead away from Auger-Aliassime. But the 20th seed from Canada however began to climb back 2-4. In a bid to spoil his comeback trail in the last minute. Before it was too little, too late from Auger-Aliassime. From a almost easy and then unsuccessful route in Stage 3 & 4 to an upset loss. As Aslan Karatsev dominated the 2nd half of the game out of nowhere. Despite a slow first two stages. And worked through it the hard way to get this job done.

The final score was completed in 3 hours & 25 mins: 6-3, 6-1, 3-6, 3-6, 4-6. Aslan Karatsev made the Quarter Finals the conventional way via the qualifier in this competition. He was on the verge of being knocked out at the first attempt after Stage 2. By a tough opponent from Felix Auger-Aliassime. But Karatsev able to turn around with the 1st & 2nd half runs functioning together. From a 2% chance of winning at the time to 80-90% chance of winning after Stage 5.

While Auger-Aliassime dominated just the 1st half of this match on all cylinders. It looked to be an easy task to wrap it up before the two-hour mark after Stage 2. But the last half of the afternoon saw him falter. Before a lack of 1st and 2nd half consistency eventually bit back to haunt him. As his journey at the Australian Open comes to a close. Not the way how he was knocked by the Qualifer/World 112 seed from Russia. We do wish Auger-Aliassime the best of luck.

Karastev will meet either Grigor Dimitrov or Dominic Thiem in the 2nd QF game.

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It was an easy start from Daniil Medvedev who rolled off ahead of Filip Krajinovic. The 4th seed from Russia touched the halfway point first 3-1. Although, Krajinovic began to climb from scratch on his end. But was beaten to the punch for the Stage 1 win by Medvedev 3-6. As we are about 30 minutes in of this game at Rod Laver Arena.

The start of Stage 2 in the early portions was tight going side by side. But Medvedev once again able to find the middle ground with a narrow lead 3-1. Before the Russian bridged his 2nd half run for the Stage 2 win 6-3. Having overcame a late challenge duel against Krajinovic. Just two stage wins earned within one hour & 5 mins.

Krajinovic began to make up lost time from a dissapointed first two stages. Where he fired off this time than before with a halfway lead 3-2. Medvedev began bounce back to tie 4-4 after being behind a while ago in the 3rd stage. Before Krajinovic denied Medvedev a straight set sets win route with a stage win himself 6-4. The game goes on past the two hour mark into the 4th stage. Krajinovic would want another straight mini win towards a 5th stage showdown. And come out of nowhere 3-2 like Dominic Thiem did to Nick Kyrgios last night. While Medvedev still needs one more stage win to advance in Round 4.

The 28th seed from Serbia kept the consistency up in the 1st half of Stage 4 3-1. Where Medvedev still finding ways to connect his strong first two stage runs. With a lack of feel against the Krajinovic as of late. And nothing much changed despite a late point registered from the 4th seed 2-5. With Krajinovic takes out stage 4 as well as the 2nd straight mini win. As the game will go into the 5th & final set.

Daniil Medvedev this time found a way to forget his poor 3rd & 4th stage runs. When he pulled off a comfortable early lead away from Krajinovic 3-0. He has never won a 5th set throughout his career before as heard by Jim Courier. Forunately for Medvedev he won the 5th stage for the first time 6-0. As he clean bowled Filip Krajinovic to advance in Round 4. The final score is 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 & 0-6. His next opponent will be Mackenzie McDonald from the United States.

And on Krajinovic he did not have the best 2nd half performances in the first two stages. Where the 28th seed from Serbia found a way to deny Medvedev a straight sets win at the first attempt. Before Krajinovic began to turn his form around that led to the fifth & final stage. But just fell short by only six points in the end. Great to see some courage to help himself stay in the game though. We will wish Krajinovic the best of luck when he returns in Melbourne next year.

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