Novak Djokovic has won eight Australian Open titles but will step into unknown territory on Thursday when he faces a Russian qualifier “wit...
Novak Djokovic has won eight Australian Open titles but will step into unknown territory on Thursday when he faces a Russian qualifier “with nothing to lose” in the first men’s semi-final.
The world number one, who has been hampered by an abdominal injury, confessed that he had not seen much of tournament surprise Aslan Karatsev, but what little he did know convinced him not to take the world number 114 lightly.
“He’s impressed a lot of people with his movement and firepower from the baseline,” said Djokovic – who is trying to win major number 18 – of an opponent who has only played 18 Grand Slam sets.
“He has a flat backhand, Russian school. Great backhand. Looks to run around and also hits some good forehands to dictate the play,” added Djokovic.
“He doesn’t have anything to lose, really. He’s motivated.”
Djokovic has been battling an injury picked up in the third round, but the 33-year-old Serb semi-final will still be expected to have little trouble against the 27-year-old, who was virtually unknown before his dream-like run to the last four.
Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) v Aslan Karatsev (RUS)
Head-to-head: first meeting
Fast facts
Novak Djokovic
Age: 33
World ranking: 1
Prize money: $145,656,177
Career titles: 81
Grand Slam titles: 17
Australian Open best: Champion (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020)
Coach: Marian Vajda, Goran...
