The world No 114 was virtually unknown when he arrived in Melbourne but has earned his shot against Novak Djokovic
Aslan Karatsev is a bit of a businessman. It is not just the way he buttons his shirt almost to the neck, but also the efficient cock of his left leg when making a backhand return. The eagerness to finish points fast, and the quick blow of his fingers when he does. Cooling the smoking gun, ready for the next round.
Of course, the small crowd allowed to return to Rod Laver Arena on Thursday night won’t really know too much about these tendencies, for this Russian has hardly been on the radar until now.
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