Sensation Karatsev beats Dimitrov and awaits Djokovic or Zverev in semi-finals

Aslan Karatsev -

The Australian Open has always been able to leave a special place to big odds.

In recent years, we have seen Kyle Edmund reach the semi-finals - Lucas Pouille to a certain extent - and if we go back further we of course remember Marcos Baghdatis' final in Melbourne against Roger Federer.

But what Aslan Karatsev is realizing is perhaps even greater.

The Russian beat Grigor Dimitrov in four sets to earn a final four in Australia.

At 27, he becomes the first player in the Open era to make a place for himself in the semi-finals in his very first Grand Slam.

He is also the lowest ranked player to invite himself to the semi-finals in Melbourne for thirty years.

He will challenge world number one Novak Djokovic or German Alexander Zverev (7th) for a place in the final.

A step a priori too high for him, but we are no longer close to a surprise.

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