Australian Open 2021: Grigor Dimitrov crashes out after losing to Aslan Karatsev

Grigor Dimitrov faced off against Aslan Karatsev of Russia in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open 2021 in what was the first meeting of the two players. Both the players have been doing really well with Dimitrov having proven himself against Dominic Thiem. But this time his body refused to cooperate with his will after the first set.

.@AsKaratsev is thriving in his Grand Slam debut at Australian Open 2021 ?

Continuing to defy the odds the free-hitting 27-year-old is unleashing his full firepower to attack with devastating effect ?#AusOpen | #AO2021
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 16, 2021

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And so the men's quarterfinal action begins as @GrigorDimitrov and @AsKaratsev head out onto Rod Laver Arena ?#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/aItTY3Dq8I
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 16, 2021

The match was won by Aslan Karatsev with a score of 2-6,6-4,6-1,6-2 .

Grigor Dimitrov loses to Karatsev amid injury

.@GrigorDimitrov fires the first shot in this quarterfinal ?

He breaks the Karatsev serve to lead 4-2 in the first set ?#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/f0W6d9B8VB
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 16, 2021

The first set started with both the players showing good form. The first game was taken by Dimitrov with Karatsev equalizing to make it 1-1. After a few longer plays the set went to 2-2 and Dimitrov with his slices took two games making it 4-2 before he then took the set with a score of 6-2.

FS Video

The second set followed a similar tempo as the first one with both the players take one game each making it 1-1. The tie got extended to 3-3 and Dimitrove seemed to be troubling the Russian with his slices. The tie was then further extended to 4-4, Karatsev doing his best to get back at the Bulgarian. The Russian then managed to break through and took the set 6-4. The set score now stood at one all.

Grab the ? because it's game ?

We are locked at one set a piece as @AsKaratsev takes the second 6-4 ??#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/EHAiYk3Ijc
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 16, 2021

The third set saw the Russian making a comeback by taking a lead of 4-1. Dimitrov seemingly struggling in this set as he was having cramps. Dimitrov lost the set with a whopping scoreline of 6-1.

1⃣ set away ??@AsKaratsev takes the third set 6-1 to inch closer to the semifinal!#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/vvRC0N3SN9
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 16, 2021

Dimitrov continues to fight but it's @AsKaratsev who breaks to take a 3-1 lead in the fourth set ??#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/6rkF7rx5Mi
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 16, 2021

The fourth set saw Karatsev riding the momentum from the last set. Dimitrov did his best to get back but Karatsev took a big lead with 3-1. Dimitrov seemed to fight back making it 4-2 but it was apparent he couldn’t perform anymore. Karatsev then took the set 6-2.

The magical run continues to the final 4⃣ for @AsKaratsev ??#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/He3FRsFyMt
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 16, 2021

MAKING HISTORY

Aslan Karatsev takes down Dimitrov to become the first man in the Open Era to reach the SFs on his Grand Slam debut!#AusOpen | @AsKaratsev pic.twitter.com/HokRkjIayv
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) February 16, 2021

In the post match interview, when asked about the match Karatsev said that it was a terrifric encounter against a top player where luck favored him. When asked about playing against either Novak Djokovic or Alexander Zverev, he said that he chooses to not think about it.