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.
In one of the more improbable semi-final matchups at a Grand Slam, Djokovic was broken twice by the world number 114 Karatsev but ensured there would be no Russian revolution under the lights of Rod Laver Arena.
That Grand Slam semifinal winning smile 😁
Make that 2️⃣8️⃣ for @DjokerNole!#AO2021 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/B9kBkX4VEB
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 18, 2021
As a long tournament took its toll on Karatsev, Djokovic raised his game in the third 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.
