2021 Australian Open Quarter-Final – Grigor Dimitrov vs Aslan Karatsev Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Grigor Dimitrov vs Aslan Karatsev taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne
When is Grigor Dimitrov vs Aslan Karatsev on and what time does it start? Tuesday 16th February, 2021 – not before 04:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Grigor Dimitrov vs Aslan Karatsev? Click here to reach the official 2021 Australian Open ticket selection
What channel is Grigor Dimitrov vs Aslan Karatsev on? The 2021 Australian Open will be televised on Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedule for this specific match
Where can I stream Grigor Dimitrov vs Aslan Karatsev in the UK? Sky customers can stream this match on the Sky Go app. Alternatively, the match can be streamed to subscribers of Eurosport Player, either on the official website or as an add-on to an Amazon Prime subscription
THE LOWDOWN
GRIGOR DIMITROV
- Grigor Dimitrov upset the odds in a big way on Sunday when he beat world number three Dominic Thiem in straight sets, including a third-set win to love against the jaded Austrian.
- The world number 21 has an incredible opportunity now to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the fourth time in his career as he faces unseeded Aslan Karatsev for a first meeting.
- 29-year-old Dimitrov made it through to the semi-finals of the Australian Open back in his career-year of 2017 where he lost to Rafael Nadal in five gruelling sets.
ASLAN KARATSEV
- 27-year-old Aslan Karatsev is without a doubt one of the biggest surprises at any Grand Slam for many years as he reached the quarter-finals on his debut appearance at a major.
- The Russian came back from two sets down against Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime on Sunday in the round of 16 which was his second consecutive win over a seeded player at the Australian Open.
- The world number 114 is the lowest-ranked player left in the draw and came through the qualifiers to make the round of 16 without dropping a set, including defeating the eighth seed Diego Schwartzman in three on Friday.
THE PREDICTION
There is so much uncertainty surrounding this unlikely quarter-final between Grigor Dimitrov, who overcame last year’s runner-up Dominic Thiem, and unseeded Aslan Karatsev, who has beaten Diego Schwartzman and Felix Auger-Aliassime to be here. The two have not played each other before and that seems to be exactly how Karatsev likes it after storming through the last two rounds as the definite underdog. It would be easy to suggest that both players can take a set here but, on the other hand, Dimitrov put in a complete performance against one of the tournament favourites last time out to win in three sets and this match relies totally on his mentality. Felix Auger-Aliassime was two sets up against Karatsev before falling away and 18th-seed Dimitrov must learn from that mistake not to let up. Despite his journey to the quarters, there is still a gulf in ability between Karatsev and the players he is beating and now facing. Furthermore, the world number 114 should no longer be underestimated. If Dimitrov stays professional he can take this in straight sets, as he has done so in all four matches so far in Melbourne. This is the “head” pick. The “heart” pick says Karatsev is playing the match of his career here and can take this to a deciding set before Dimitrov battles through.
