Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 18, 2021 Russia's Aslan Karatsev looks dejected after losing his semi final match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Aslan Karatsev's fairytale run at the Australian Open may have ended in the semi-finals against Novak Djokovic on Thursday, but the Russian qualifier leaves Melbourne Park full of confidence, knowing he can compete against the best.
The 27-year-old, currently ranked 114th in the world, qualified for his maiden Grand Slam main draw at the 10th attempt last month and then went on to rewrite history on Melbourne Park's blue hardcourts over the last two weeks.
