‘I had nothing to lose, fought for every ball against Djokovic’: Aslan Karatsev


‘I had nothing to lose, fought for every ball against Djokovic’: Aslan Karatsev

Aslan Karatsev

Aslan Karatsev has been outstanding this year. He has reached new heights every time he has stepped on the court. At the Start of the year, Karatsev was ranked at a lowly no.114 in the world. But a good showing in the Australian Open, where he reached the Semi-finals, then his trophy win in Dubai has ensured he is ranked at no.28 in the World now. At the Serbia Open he has taken down opponents like Aljaž Bedene in the first round, Gianluca Mager in the second round, and Novak Djokovic in the Semi-finals. 

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Karatsev vs Djokovic was a match of epic proportions. Djokovic playing at home, in Belgrade, did everything that he possibly could to avert the defeat. But after 3hours and 25 mins, Karatsev won the contest. Remarkably during the match. Karatsev saved 23 of the 28 break points against him. Karatsev won 7-5 4-6 6-4. 

Aslan Karatsev avenges his Australian Open loss 

At the Australian Open, Karatsev  came up against Novak Djokovic in the Semi-finals. Sadly for Karatsev he faced a straight sets humiliation from Djokovic at that stage. He lost to Djokovic, 3-6 4-6 2-6. Speaking after the match against Djokovic in the Serbia Open he said that in Australia Djokovic was like a wall. But here on the clay courts he felt beatable. Karatsev said that he played like he had nothing to lose, and fought for every ball.  

Aslan Karatsev said, “In Australia Djokovic was like a wall. But that was different, a Grand Slam semifinal on hard courts. Today I was like, ‘I can beat him. I have nothing to lose’. I fought on every ball.”

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Also Read: ATP Serbia Open FINAL: Aslan Karatsev vs Matteo Berrettini-Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction for Belgrade 2021