Qualifier Karatsev into Melbourne semis at first Grand Slam

Qualifier Aslan Karatsev beat Grigor Dimitrov to become the first man in the open era to reach the last four in his maiden Grand Slam. — AFP pic

MELBOURNE (Reuters): Qualifier Aslan Karatsev continued his stunning run into the Australian Open

semi-finals on Tuesday, beating an ailing Grigor Dimitrov 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 to become the first man in the open era to reach the last four in his maiden Grand Slam.

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. The Russian, whose success at getting into the Australian Open came on his 10th attempt to qualify for a Grand Slam, will meet eight-time champion Novak Djokovic or Alexander Zverev for a place in the final.