Aslan Karatsev of Russia returns the ball during the quarterfinal match with Grigor Dimitrov. The world number 114 was also only the fifth qualifier to reach the last four of a men's major in the open era and the lowest-ranked player to reach a Grand Slam semi-final for two decades. Karatsev confessed to battling with nerves at the start of the contest on Rod Laver Arena and his error-strewn first set was indeed forgettable. Dimitrov looked shell-shocked as Karatsev pounded howitzer shots over the net at him -- faltering on serve and wandering around the court listlessly in the 30 degree Celsius heat. "I try not to think about it, I just look at the next match," said Karatsev when asked about the prospect.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 16, 2021 19:41 UTC