Asłan Karacew

[Kamileki]

[Damian]

AO21 SF:

41. Miomir Kecmanović 1388
42. Asłan Karacew 1382
43. Kei Nishikori 1355

[Barty]

Aslan Karatsev: 200 Text Messages & A Heap Of Belief

Spoiler:

Russian qualifier projected to break into Top 50 on Monday

Aslan Karatsev saw his phone light up with more than 200 text messages on Tuesday after he reached the Australian Open semi-finals.

“It’s amazing that I reached the semi-finals from qualifying,” said the World No. 114. “I’m just trying to enjoy the moment and not think about winning too much. [Just] playing round to round… I try to believe every match [in] what I'm doing on the court, and it's helped me to win matches.”

Karatsev became the first man in the Open Era (since 1968) to reach the semi-finals on his Grand Slam debut after the Russian qualifier beat No. 18 seed Dimitrov 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Karatsev believes that working with Yahor Yatsyk in Minsk, in addition to building the right team, has played a major part in his major breakthrough at Melbourne Park.

“In the end, I found a coach, Yahor Yatsyk, and this is the right guy for me,” said Karatsev. “He's helped me a lot, [the] mental part, and then of course there is the technical stuff, as well. I like to work with him. We work a lot [on]… the mental part, to believe more in myself and to believe [in the game that I play. I was really lucky to find him, and we just met at one tournament. I played [at an ITF] Futures.”

You May Also Like: World No. 114 Karatsev's Historic Run Continues Into Australian Open SFs
It’s a remarkable run for Karatsev, who has played just 17 tour-level matches and moved from Russia to Halle, then to Barcelona and now Minsk in his quest to make it to the upper echelons of professional tennis.

It could have been very different for the talk of the tennis world. Five years ago, Karatsev struggled to overcome a long-term knee injury.

“There was a time when I was injured that was a difficult time for me, because I recovered after a [knee] injury, and started 2017 playing again,” said Karatsev. “[But] I felt the knee, and I said, ‘Whoa!’ I quit again for two-and-a-half months, almost three, and I think that was the most difficult part.”


Karatsev has been in great form since tennis resumed in August 2020 following a five-month suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, winning 18 of his final 20 ATP Challenger Tour matches in 2020 and claiming two trophies at that level.

Earlier this month, Daniil Medvedev described Karatsev as Russia’s “secret weapon” in their ATP Cup title-winning run in Melbourne. Karatsev has since beaten Gianluca Mager, Egor Gerasimov, eighth seed Diego Schwartzman, No. 20 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and No. 18 seed Dimitrov en route to the Australian Open semi-finals.

Having started the 2021 Australian Open at No. 114 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, Karatsev is now set to break into the Top 50 on Monday.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/karatse ... 21-tuesday

[Barty]

[Damian]

Five Things To Know About Aslan Karetsev, Djokovic's SF Opponent

Spoiler:

Learn more about the Russian qualifier
Aslan Karatsev has been the breakthrough player of this Australian Open. The World No. 114 is into the semi-finals as a qualifier, and he will next play World No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

Karatsev has upset three seeded opponents during his dream run — Diego Schwartzman, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Grigor Dimitrov. Now the 27-year-old will try to carry his momentum into the last four at the season’s first Grand Slam.

Before Karatsev plays Djokovic, ATPTour.com looks at five things you should know about the Russian.

1) This Is Karatsev’s Grand Slam Debut, But He Had Momentum
Before Karatsev won his three qualifying matches last month in Doha, he had never previously made it through Grand Slam qualifying. This was his 10th attempt to reach the main draw at a major, and the Russian has made the most of his successful effort by thriving at Melbourne Park. Karatsev is the first man in the Open Era to reach the semi-finals on his Grand Slam debut.

Karatsev's success began after tennis resumed last August. Karatsev was No. 253 in the FedEx ATP Rankings when he entered his first ATP Challenger Tour event in Prague following a five-month Tour suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He won 18 of his final 20 Challenger matches on the season, claiming two of his three titles at that level.


2) From Russia To Israel, Germany To Spain & More
Karatsev was born in Vladikavkaz, Russia, before moving with his family to Israel at the age of three. He trained in Israel until 12, when he returned to Taganrog, Russia with his father. Karatsev practised there until he was 18, when he shifted to Moscow.

The righty moved to Halle, Germany for two years, then Barcelona, Spain and finally, for almost the past three years, Minsk, Belarus. “I was moving I would say too much,” Karatsev admitted.

Karatsev believes that working with Yahor Yatsyk, a 28-year-old Belarusian, has proven key to his surge.

“I think the key is to find the right team, the right coach [who] I found. I was really lucky to find him, and we just met in one tournament. I played futures, and we were saying, 'Okay, let's try to work together.' I think it's a big luck that we started to work together and I have a good team around me.”

You May Also Like: Aslan Karatsev: 200 Text Messages & A Heap Of Belief
3) A Knee Injury Caused A Setback In 2017
The Russian struggled with a knee injury in 2017. Karatsev suffered the injury while training in Spain, and it caused him to miss six months.

“From this moment it was really tough to get the confidence back and to feel the game,” Karatsev said. “It was not that easy.”

That stretch of time off the court sent Karatsev’s FedEx ATP Ranking as low as No. 764 in October 2017.

4) Karatsev Will Soar Up The FedEx ATP Rankings
One of Karatsev’s biggest goals last season was to crack the Top 100 for the first time. While the Russian was unable to do so, he will reach several milestones following the Australian Open, regardless of his results during the rest of the tournament.

If the 27-year-old loses against Djokovic on Thursday, he is still projected to break into the Top 50 for the first time. If he stuns the World No. 1, Karatsev will reach the Top 30. If he completes his dream run by lifting the trophy, the Russian will move into the Top 15.

<a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/players/asla ... iew'>Aslan Karatsev</a>

5) He Was Russia’s “Secret Weapon” In The ATP Cup
Karatsev was part of the Russian team that won the ATP Cup alongside Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and playing captain Evgeny Donskoy. The 27-year-old’s teammates had high praise for him.

“Aslan, I’m not joking, was a secret weapon for doubles,” Medvedev said during the trophy ceremony. “He didn’t manage to show it because we didn’t have a 1-1 match, but he was our secret weapon.”

Donskoy made a prediction after they lifted the trophy, saying: ”Aslan, I am sure you are going to have a great season this year, because you are playing unbelievably.”

Karatsev has proven his captain right.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/five-th ... atsev-2021

[Kamileki]

[Damian]

[Damian]

Karatsev's Quarantine Practice Partner: 'He Has No Fear'

Spoiler:

Nagal provides insight into Karatsev's game and confidence level
Aslan Karatsev has enjoyed a dream run at the Australian Open, where he will play eight-time champion and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic on Thursday in the semi-finals. One player who is not surprised by the Russian’s success is his quarantine practice partner: Sumit Nagal.

“I am not amazed to be honest. I knew he was playing well as I was practising with him daily,” Nagal said. “I am happy for him and I hope he even goes further.”

You May Also Like: Five Things To Know About Aslan Karatsev, Djokovic's SF Opponent
Nagal, like Karatsev, competed in the Australian Open main draw for the first time. The 23-year-old Indian, who is No. 144 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, was able to tell how high on confidence the Russian was from hitting with him for two weeks.

“The amount of confidence he has is very high. He has no fear and he is going for his shots no matter what, which is brave of him to do,” Nagal said. “But again, you can do that when you have the confidence [he has right now].”


Karatsev finished his 2020 season by winning 18 of his final 20 ATP Challenger Tour matches. The 27-year-old claimed two of his three Challenger titles after tennis’ resumption in August, which followed a five-month suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nagal did not know Karatsev extremely well before their two weeks on court together. In their only professional match against one another, at the Milan Challenger in June 2019, Nagal beat Karatsev 6-4, 7-6(4) to reach the semi-finals. However, Karatsev was World No. 343 at the time.

<a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/players/sumi ... iew'>Sumit Nagal</a>
Photo Credit: Mike Frey/Tennis Photo Network
The Indian is no stranger to big stages, winning a set against Roger Federer in the first round of the 2019 US Open inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Nagal has been impressed by how Karatsev has handled himself with all eyes on him. One thing has stood out the most.
“Him sticking to his game plan,” Nagal said. “I really like that. He has an amazing backhand and is pretty explosive.”

Nagal lost in the first round of the Australian Open against Ricardas Berankis, and he is currently en route to compete in qualifying at the Cordoba Open in Argentina, more than 10,000 kilometres away. The 23-year-old is happy for his quarantine practice partner's success.

“Him and his team have worked very hard to get where he is,” Nagal said. “I was happy to share the court with him.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/karatse ... -open-2021

[Damian]

[Damian]

Karatsev: 'It Was A Great Two Weeks'

Spoiler:

Russian will break into Top 50 for the first time on Monday

Aslan Karatsev left Melbourne Park with his head held high on Thursday after a semi-final exit to World No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

“It was a great two weeks for me, starting with the qualifying,” said Karatsev, after a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 loss to nine-time champion Djokovic. “It's a good experience. To play against Novak, helps me to get experience.

“It felt unbelievable [to play in front of a big crowd]. There was a lot of people here, and the support was really warm. It was [a] good atmosphere to play [in].”

Karatsev, who qualified for his first Grand Slam championship and beat eighth seed Diego Schwartzman, No. 18 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and No. 20 seed Grigor Dimitrov en route to the Australian Open semi-finals, admitted that the difference between him and Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena was “huge”.

“The difference is really big," said Karatsev, who was contesting just the 19th tour-level match of his career. "He doesn't give you free points. On my serve, you have to play a rally every point. [My] serve didn't work well today, and on my service games there [were] always rallies. He served well all the match, [so] you're under pressure.”

You May Also Like: Five Things To Know About Aslan Karatsev, Djokovic's SF Opponent
The 27-year-old Russian, who started the tournament at No. 114 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, will rise into the Top 50 on Monday and looks forward to playing in ATP Tour events.

“It give me more experience, more confidence,” said Karatsev. “Now I will be playing all [the] big tournaments without [having to play in] the qualifying. I'll [use] this confidence and just keep playing, keep practising.

“ that I can play with everyone. I think it's helped me a lot [for] my career. I improved my ranking, Top 50 [too].”

Karatsev joined Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev as a part of Russia’s ATP Cup title-winning team prior to the Australian Open. Medvedev plays Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second Australian Open semi-final on Friday.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/karatse ... f-thursday

[Kamileki]

[Kamileki]

[Lucas]

Australian Open: Asłan Karacew zakończył turniej życia. "Zdobyłem więcej doświadczenia i pewności siebie"

Spoiler:

Asłan Karacew przegrał z Novakiem Djokoviciem w półfinale Australian Open 2021. Dla Rosjanina był to najlepszy turniej w karierze. - Zdobyłem więcej doświadczenia i pewności siebie. Zachowam to i będę dalej trenował - podkreślił 27-latek.

Piękny sen Asłana Karacewa dobiegł końca. Rosjanin, 114. tenisista rankingu ATP, został pierwszym w erze zawodowego tenisa debiutantem, który dotarł do 1/2 finału turnieju wielkoszlemowego, oraz najniżej klasyfikowanym graczem na tym etapie turnieju tej rangi od 2001 roku, gdy w półfinale Wimbledonu zameldował się wówczas 125. na świecie Goran Ivanisević. W czwartek zatrzymał go jednak Novak Djoković.
Mecz z prowadzącym w rankingu ATP Serbem (3:6, 4:6, 2:6) był dla 27-latka Władykaukazu pierwszym pojedynkiem z rywalem z Top 5 klasyfikacji singlistów. - Różnica była naprawdę duża - przyznał, cytowany przez atptour.com.

On nie oddaje ci darmowych punktów - analizował. - Nie serwowałem tak dobrze, jak w poprzednich meczach, i w każdym punkcie musiałem rozgrywać z nim wymiany. On natomiast przez cały mecz bardzo dobrze podawał, więc to wywierało na mnie presję.

Gra przeciwko Novakowi była wspaniałym doświadczeniem. Tak samo występ przed tak liczną publicznością. Wsparcie kibiców było naprawdę ciepłe, a atmosfera świetna - dodał.

Karacew podkreślił, że opuści Melbourne z podniesioną głową. Dzięki awansowi do półfinału Australian Open 2021 po raz pierwszy wejdzie do czołowej "50" klasyfikacji singlistów i będzie mógł grać w najważniejszych turniejach.

Zdobyłem więcej doświadczenia i pewności siebie. Zachowam to i będę dalej trenował. Poprawiłem swoją pozycję w rankingu i teraz będę mógł występować we wszystkich dużych turniejach bez kwalifikacji - powiedział.

- To były wspaniałe dwa tygodnie. Występ tutaj był bardzo pomocny dla mojej kariery. Czuję, że mogę rywalizować z każdym - zaznaczył.

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/tenis/92476 ... doswiadcze

[Damian]

Karatsev Surges Into Top 50, Mover Of Week

Spoiler:

ATPTour.com looks at the top Movers of the Week in the FedEx ATP Rankings, as of Monday, 22 February 2021

No. 42 Aslan Karatsev, +72 (Career High)
The Russian rose 72 places to break into the Top 50 of the FedEx ATP Rankings for the first time at No. 42 after a run to the Australian Open semi-finals (l. to Djokovic). The 27-year-old, who qualified for his first Grand Slam championship and beat eighth seed Diego Schwartzman, No. 18 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and No. 20 seed Grigor Dimitrov in Melbourne, was ranked No. 262 just 12 months ago. Karatsev, who was the first man in the Open Era to reach the semi-finals on his major championship debut, joined Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev in Russia’s ATP Cup-winning team earlier this month.

View FedEx ATP Rankings

No. 3 Daniil Medvedev, +1 (Career High)
The Russian claimed five straight-sets wins en route to his second Grand Slam championship final (also 2019 US Open), where he saw his 20-match winning streak come to an end at the hands of Novak Djokovic, who won 7-5, 6-2, 6-2. The 25-year-old, who beat Top 10 opponents Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach the Australian Open title match, rose one spot to a career-high No. 3.

Other Notable Top 100 Movers
No. 11 Denis Shapovalov, +1
No. 17 Grigor Dimitrov, +4
No. 24 Casper Ruud, +4 (Career High)
No. 55 Pablo Andujar, +4
No. 57 Feliciano Lopez, +8
No. 65 Cameron Norrie, +4
No. 76 Radu Albot, +9
No. 81 Soowoo Kwon, +16
No. 82 Lloyd Harris, +9

More stories like this in:

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/karatse ... ruary-2021

[Barty]

22.02.2021

Najwyższy ranking w karierze: 42

[Damian]

Karatsev Sweeps Into Doha Second Round, Now Plays Thiem

Spoiler:

Bautista Agut, Gasquet play later in Qatar later today

Aslan Karatsev returned to winning ways at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha on Monday. Two months on from winning three matches at the venue to qualify for the Australian Open in Melbourne, where he reached the semi-finals (l. to Djokovic), the Russian swept past fellow wild card Mubarak Shannan Zayid 6-4, 6-0 in 65 minutes at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.

Karatsev won 24 of 27 first-service points and now plays top-seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem in the second round at the ATP 250 event. Thiem is competing in his first tournament since a fourth-round exit at the Australian Open (l. to Dimitrov).

How To Watch

Richard Gasquet, the 2013 champion, eased past qualifier Blaz Rola 6-4, 6-4 for his first victory of the season. The Frenchman will next play red-hot Russian Andrey Rublev.

"Of course it’s great for me to come here... I have great memories playing here. It’s one of the best tournaments in the world, so of course it’s great for me to come back and I hope to play good," Gasquet said in an on-court interview. "I know the next opponent will be tough, but I have nothing to lose and I’ll try my best to win."

Kazakhstani wild card Alexander Bublik will take on fifth-seeded Spaniard and 2019 champion Roberto Bautista Agut or American Reilly Opelka after knocking out Indian qualifier Ramkumar Ramanathan 6-4, 6-2 in 73 minutes. Bublik has already reached two ATP Tour finals this year at the Antalya Open (l. to De Minaur) and the Singapore Tennis Open (l. to Popyrin).

American Taylor Fritz took a 2-1 lead in his ATP Head2Head series with Lorenzo Sonego by beating the Italian 7-6(5), 6-4. Elsewhere, Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili snapped a five-match losing streak by beating John Millman of Australia 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 52 minutes. Basilashvili will next wild card Malek Jaziri of Tunisia or Slovakian lucky loser Norbert Gombos.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/bautist ... 021-monday

[Kamileki]

[Damian]

[Lucas]

[Damian]