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Australian Open 2021 day 11 live: Fit-again Novak Djokovic closes in on ninth Open title with win over Aslan Karatsev

The world No 1 is through to yet another Australian Open final, ending Russian Aslan Karatsev’s dream run in straight sets.

Courtney Walsh and Adrian McMurray
Novak Djokovic celebrates victory over Aslan Karatsev. Picture: AFP
Novak Djokovic celebrates victory over Aslan Karatsev. Picture: AFP
17 min read
2:17PMFebruary 18, 2021.
Updated 10:29PMFebruary 18, 2021

Naomi Osaka and Jennifer Brady won through to the women’s singles final, while Novak Djokovic was the first into the men’s final with victory over Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev. Serena Williams meanwhile cut her press conference short, in tears following her defeat to Osaka. Read how day 11 of the 2021 Australian Open unfolded below.

Marc McGowan10.05pm:Ruthless Djokovic ends Karatsev’s dream run

Aslan Karatsev’s Chronicles of Melbourne Park are over.

The Russian’s staggering run from Australian Open qualifying to the semi-finals – the first qualifier to do so in 44 years – finally met its end at the hands of eight-times champion Novak Djokovic.

A seemingly fit-again Djokovic ran a tight ship on Thursday night, committing just one unforced error until the final point of the 17th game to set up his tricker-than-it-reads 6-3 6-4 6-2 triumph.

One night after his great rival Rafael Nadal lost from two sets up, the 33-year-old Serbian staved off Karatsev’s bursts of hot play – most of it generated by a blitzkrieg forehand – to avoid a repeat result.

Novak Djokovic. Picture: Getty Images
Novak Djokovic. Picture: Getty Images

Djokovic will contest a ninth Australian Open final on Sunday night, knowing he has never lost once he’s made it that far in Melbourne.

Young stars Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, neither of whom have won a grand slam title, will battle it out on Friday night for a final berth.

Djokovic showed no signs of the abdominal injury that first surfaced in his five-set escape against American Taylor Fritz in round three, after which he said “I know it’s a tear definitely of the muscle”.

He’s been cagey since about the status of his setback, refusing to reveal the result of his MRI scan, yet appearing to show major improvement every match since.

For Karatsev, his ATP ranking will rocket from 114 to a shiny new career high of 42 that will transform his schedule this year.

The 27-year-old late bloomer was far from disgraced in his semi-final exit, but was unable to sustain his torrid pace against the world No 1.

The night’s first six games were a continuation of what Karatsev’s produced throughout the tournament: unerring composure, aggressive shot-making and not even a hint of being intimidated.

Even after falling behind on serve in the sixth game, he rallied to claim the next three points, before assertively tucking a backhand drive volley crosscourt for a winner.

However, Karatsev’s next service game was loose and his tendency to have at least one of those in each set proved his downfall.

Aslan Karatsev waves to the crowd following defeat to Djokovic. Picture: Getty Images
Aslan Karatsev waves to the crowd following defeat to Djokovic. Picture: Getty Images

It didn’t help that Djokovic was performing his best impression of a brick wall at the other end.

The wheels looked to be coming off when Karatsev slipped 1-5 behind in the second set, only for him to hit his way back into contention.

If not for two clutch Djokovic serves, the Russian underdog would have drawn level at five-all, but the 17-times grand slam champion managed to secure a two-set buffer.

The end looked nigh when he broke Karatsev to start the third set and move 2-0 clear, but Karatsev walloped one of his trademark crosscourt forehands to get back on serve.

It was a brief respite from the Djokovic assault, as he instantly snatched back control, then breezed through what proved the final set.

Adrian McMurray9.42pm:Djokovic into the final

A hold and break and suddenly Djokovic is serving for the match. He finishes it off in style, with two aces! Djokovic is through to the final, defeating Karatsev 6-3 6-4 6-2. Really professional performance from the world No 1. Karatsev walks away with $850,000 in his first ever slam, more than his entire career earnings to date. Pretty tidy.

Post-match, Djokovic congratulates Karatsev on making the semis.

“We need to give him a hand … He reached the semi-finals. I don’t think it’s happened in the history of tennis so well done to him. He played a great tournament.”

The world No 1 certainly looked like he was moving a lot more freely tonight, and he confirms it’s the best he’s felt the “entire tournament”.

“Felt great. I could swing through the ball. No pain. Just best match so far. Came at the right time. I’m thrilled to feel this way for sure.”

Tsitsipas or Medvedev awaits on Sunday.

Adrian McMurray9.28pm:Breaks galore in third

Djokovic begins the third set with a big break, and consolidates – an ace the exclamation mark as he races to 2-0. Karatsev however begins to fight back. He holds to love, and then breaks to 15! Suddenly, we’re back at 2-all.

But this set has another twist: Djokovic has two break points, and he converts on the first time of asking! Djokovic to serve with a 3-2 lead.

Adrian McMurray9.08pm:Djokovic takes two-set lead

Karatsev consolidates the break to take it to 5-4 the way of Djokovic. That’s three straight games for the Russian now.

Djokovic isn’t kidding around now. He begins with an ace. He works Karatsev around the court, and earns two set points. But he fails to convert, an insane 32-shot rally ending with Djokovic slicing into net as he chased the short ball.

A big winner gives Karatsev break point … but Novak saves it with a big first serve. He saves a second with a 203km/h ace. And two forced errors rounds out the set the way of the world No 1! He takes it 6-4 in 45 minutes. But Karatsev doesn’t look like he’s going roll over now, he’s hanging in there, despite being down two sets.

Adrian McMurray8.52pm:Karatsev halts the Djokovic procession

Oh man, there’s no stopping Djokovic now. He holds to love, rounding it out with two aces. He’s up 5-1.

Karatsev shows some resistance holding to bring it to 5-2, Djokovic to serve for a two-set lead.

It doesn’t go to plan for Djokovic though. A double fault hands the Russian a break point but he fails to convert. He does so at the second time of asking … we’re back to 5-3 the way of Djokovic!

Adrian McMurray8.40pm:Djokovic fires to big lead

Karatsev begins the second with a quickfire hold to love. Djokovic does what he needs to do, and then breaks the Russian to love! Incredible hitting from the pair, the speed they’re generating is impressive. Djokovic seems to have stepped up here – he’s taking it to Karatsev. The world No 1 leads 3-1.

And he breaks again to love! Just the one unforced error from Djokovic so far in this match. He’s looking like a different prospect tonight. He leads 4-1 in the second set.

Adrian McMurray8.23pm:Djokovic takes first set

The pair trade service games but it’s Novak who gets the first break of the match! Karatsev, serving with the new balls, drops his serve to love. Unforced errors cruelled him. Djokovic then hits his 88th and 89th aces of the tournament to round out the set, not dropping a point in the last two games. Djokovic wins it 6-3 in 35 minutes. Karatsev has been hanging with him thus far … does the world No 1 pull away from here?

Adrian McMurray8.06pm:Karatsev holding his own against Djokovic

Djokovic holds, as does Karatsev. The Russian hits a sublime winner to take it to 40-0 that gets the approval of Novak in that game, but it takes a few more points before he rounds it out, 2-all.

Karatsev is going toe-to-toe with Djokovic here, this is impressive. Djokovic took a while to get going against Zverev but there’s no sign of that sluggish start here, he’s moving freely. The world No 1 holds and screams to pump himself up after the ball sails long, he’s up 3-2.

Adrian McMurray7.51pm:All even to begin Djokovic-Karatsev

We’re underway in the first men’s semi-final. It’s Djokovic v Karatsev. The world No 1 v the Russian qualifier for a spot in Sunday’s final.

Djokovic makes a strong start, two aces as he holds. And Karatsev does likewise, holding to 15 – just like Novak – and we’re locked at 1-all.

Courtney Walsh5.58pm:Brady books date with Osaka in final

American Jennifer Brady will play Naomi Osaka for the Australian Open crown on Saturday night after winning a stirring clash against Karolina Muchova on Rod Laver Arena on Thursday.

The 25-year-old, who served strict quarantine prior to the Australian summer, has shown great resilience throughout the Open and needed every bit of that fight against Muchova when successful 6-4 3-6 6-4 in 1hr 55min.

Jennifer Brady. Picture: Getty Images
Jennifer Brady. Picture: Getty Images

Brady, who has formed a doubles partnership with Ash Barty, was forced to the brink by Muchova, who had conquered the Australian hope in a quarterfinal on Wednesday and had overcome significant deficits in three matches including against the world No 1 in a quarterfinal.

The last game perfectly encapsulated the evenness between the two women vying to make a major final for the first time.

Attempting to serve out the semi-final, the 22nd seed thought she had won the match when Muchova erred from the baseline, only for her own shot to have been ruled an error.

Both women had their chances in a game lasting six deuces, with each coming up with moments of brilliance under pressure. But ultimately Brady was able to snare the biggest win of her career on her sixth match point when the powerful Czech struck a forehand long.

“I can’t feel my legs. My legs are shaking. My heart is racing. I don’t have words,” she said.

“After the first set, I was like, ‘OK. Let’s try to focus a little, Jenny’. My legs felt fresh but my feet were not moving. I felt like they were stuck in mud. I picked up my intensity in the third set.”

The final between Osaka and Brady, who completed a college degree at UCLA before turning professional, on Saturday night is a reprise of their semi-final clash in New York claimed by the Japanese star in three sets.

“I am obviously pretty excited to be in the finals here at the Australian Open. It is an incredible achievement, but I think it will be a really tough match,” she said.

“I am going to hang with my team … and we are going to spend some good quality time together. I am just going to try to prepare the way I have for every single match, not trying to overhype it. I am sure I will be nervous, but I will try not to be over-excited.”

Adrian McMurray5.51pm:Brady prevails, will face Osaka in final

Jennifer Brady is through to her first grand slam final, beating Karolina Muchova 6-4 3-6 6-4 in just under two hours. The match featured one of the games of the tournament, an engrossing 12-minute contest at the death which resulted in Brady’s victory. Brady missed the chance to win the match by 7mm – long over the baseline – earlier in that game, Muchova saving four match points, and she has three break points of her own. But Brady got it done in the end, a pair of errors ultimately Muchova’s undoing. The quality of the tennis was unbelievable at the end, fitting of such an occasion.

Jennifer Brady. Picture: AFP
Jennifer Brady. Picture: AFP

“I don’t have words,” she says post-match.

“I don’t know, was feeling a little strange today. Super excited, but at the same time pretty flat footed. My legs felt fresh, but I felt like I was stuck in mud. I didn’t really pick up, you know, my intensity until the beginning of the third set.”

Brady will face Naomi Osaka in Saturday’s final.

“Yeah, I’m obviously pretty excited to be in the finals here at the Australian Open. You know, it’s an incredible achievement. I think it will be a really tough match. Obviously she’s won a few Grand Slams. We had a tough match at the US Open semi-finals. I think she even said it was one of her top two matches which is a little unfortunate for me at the time, but I think it will be a really good match.

“I’m just going to hang with my team … We’re going to spend some good quality time together. I’ll have a good practice tomorrow, a little gym session and, yeah, just try to just prepare the way I’ve been preparing for every single match, not trying to overhype it. I’m sure I’ll be nervous, but I’m going to be super excited.”

Adrian McMurray5.01pm:Muchova takes it to a decider

Muchova has drawn level, taking the second set 6-3 to send the second semi-final to a decider! She took 31 minutes to take the set, a double fault from Brady ending things.

There was a lot of controversy surrounding Muchova’s delaying tactics yesterday against Ash Barty, and she’s deployed a few of them again – walking over to her towel and generally taking her time, dictating the pace and making Brady wait.

Courtney Walsh4.33pm:‘I’m done’: Serena cuts press conference short

An emotional Serena Williams has cut short a press conference discussing her Australian Open loss on Thursday.

The 39-year-old was in tears as she left the media conference room at Melbourne Park when quizzed as to the reason for her performance against Naomi Osaka.

“Ah. I don’t know. I’m done,” she said, before leaving the press conference.

Williams had previously been questioned about the emotions she felt as she left Rod Laver Arena and the applause she received from the Melbourne crowd.

“If I was saying farewell, I wouldn’t tell anyone,” she said.

Serena Williams walks out of her press conference. Picture: AFP PHOTO /ROB PREZIOSO/ TENNIS AUSTRALIA
Serena Williams walks out of her press conference. Picture: AFP PHOTO /ROB PREZIOSO/ TENNIS AUSTRALIA

Adrian McMurray4.31pm:Brady takes first set

American Jennifer Brady is just one set away from her first Australian Open final, taking the first set against Karolina Muchova 6-4.

The 22nd seed took just 36 minutes to see out the set, after she made an emphatic start – holding the first game to love and firing off two aces in the process.

Courtney Walsh3.46pm:Osaka ousts Williams, ending legend’s streak

Naomi Osaka will chase a second Australian Open crown on Saturday after overwhelming American legend Serena Williams 6-3 6-4 in a stunning display on Rod Laver Arena.

The 2019 champion started slowly but was able to overpower the 23-time major winner from the baseline as she reached the fourth grand slam final of her career.

Osaka, 23, said she felt “nervous and scared early” and it showed on the court. She made error after error when dropping the opening two games.

Naomi Osaka. Picture: AFP
Naomi Osaka. Picture: AFP

But from there she was the dominant player in every facet, with her only other poor game coming when on the verge of success while serving at 4-3 in the second set.

The Japanese star, who occasionally experiences issues with her serve, struck three double faults to gift her decorated rival a lifeline.

But the reprieve was short-lived, with Osaka regaining her ruthlessness immediately.

Her next game on return was stunning, with Osaka ripping three winners from the backhand side. And she was able to close out the match by holding serve to love.

“I was a little kid watching her play and to be on the court playing her is a dream,” she said. “The biggest thing for me to learn was that ‘You are a competitor and you are playing a competitor’.

“It was an honour to play her. I didn’t want to go out really bad, so I tried my best.”

Williams had been vying for a 24th major title in Melbourne, which would have drawn her level with Margaret Court’s all-time singles record.

She was also seeking to break a title drought in majors dating back to 2017 and she had performed brilliantly leading into the semi-final.

Instead the 39-year-old leaves with a streak broken.

It is the first time Williams has recorded a loss in an Australian Open semi-final in the nine occasions she has made it to the last four. On all bar one occasion, she had won the Open.

It is also the first time Williams has been beaten by a rival ranked inside the top three since Justine Henin managed the feat at the US Open in 2007.

Osaka awaits the winner of the semi-final between Jennifer Brady and Karolina Muchova, who upset Ash Barty on Tuesday. The victor will be a first-time major finalist.

Osaka has never been beaten in a grand slam once she has reached the quarterfinals and will be looking to add a second Australian Open crowd to her successes in New York in 2018 and 2020.

“I feel like everyone is really excited whenever they play their first final, but they are also really nervous,” she said.

“I don’t want to wish nerves on somebody, but hopefully one of them gets nervous.”

After a nervous start of her own, the Japanese champion hit the front for the first time at 3-2.

It was already evident that her power was going to trouble Williams.

The American had moved superbly in a win over Simona Halep two nights ago but found the pace of shot far quicker in the semi-final.

Osaka was averaging 120km/h on her forehands and almost 132km/h off her backhand wing. The American, whose power ushered in a new era for women’s tennis, was left behind in terms of pace of shot when averaging about 110km/h off both wings.

The speed of a shot is not everything. Angle, trajectory and court position are also vital, so too the placement and control. Osaka was able to combine those elements effectively.

The winners began to fly regularly from her off either wing. And they left Williams floundering.

Some shots were so rapid, the great of the game had scarcely reacted by the time they were past her. More concerningly for Williams is that she became increasingly errant herself.

Osaka won three of the first eleven points of the match. She won 25 of the next 37 as she raced to a 5-2 lead.

When she clubbed a forehand winner two games later, the first set was hers in just 38 minutes.

The statistical breakdown was ominous for the 39-year-old. In the opening set she hit just one winner while making 16 unforced errors.

She was unable to hurt her rival when in rallies and was gifting points when pressing, though that was due to the immense pressure the world No 3 was putting her under.

“Make a shot. Make your shot,” Williams bellowed to herself.

In the opening game of the second set, Williams roared again in a bid to fire herself up after Osaka missed with a forehand wide.

The response? Osaka thundered a forehand return and then crunched a backhand winner down the line. She made an athletic legend look slow on court with her brilliance.

Adrian McMurray3.32pm:Osaka through to final

Osaka serves it out to love and that’s it! Osaka wins it 6-3 6-4 in 1hr 15min. As they meet at the net Osaka bows multiple times to Williams before they embrace. What a victory.

Adrian McMurray3.30pm:Osaka to serve for match

Oh my – Osaka breaks right back, to love! She’s now serving for the set and a spot in the final. Huge.

Adrian McMurray3.27pm:Williams breaks

From me, just a few minutes ago: “It feels like a formality from here.” Hah!

The Osaka serve has been so good, but she produces three double faults for Serena to break! We’re back on serve at 4-all.

Adrian McMurray3.21pm:Osaka’s huge service game

Wow – what a service game from Osaka! She drops the first point but overpowers Williams with her serve from there, rounding out the game with an ace. Osaka 4-2.

Williams hits back with a hold of her own, but it feels like a formality from here. Osaka leads 4-3.

Adrian McMurray3.14pm:Williams turns to the crowd for support

Osaka holds, taking a 3-1 lead.

Williams to serve, and after an unforced error she stops on the court and looks to the crowd, looking for inspiration. She bounces back with a winner and a shriek, and the crowd are lifting for her. And she goes on to hold! Osaka still leads 3-2, but Williams isn’t out of this one yet.

Adrian McMurray3.06pm:All Osaka now

We see glimpses of the Williams we know – but this is all Osaka now. She holds, rounding out the game with consecutive aces.

Williams with a crucial hold – Osaka to serve at 2-1.

Adrian McMurray3.00pm:‘Make a shot!’

Big forehand winner from Williams during her opening service game, and she is pumped up. “Make a shot!” she yells at herself. An Osaka error is met with similar enthusiasm. But Osaka works her way back into the game and breaks with a big backhand winner. Osaka up a set and a break, 1-0 in the second.

Adrian McMurray2.55pm:Osaka takes first set 6-3

Osaka takes the first set 6-3 in 38 minutes. She finishes it off with a big forehand winner. She’s well and truly recovered from that slow start and her power is on show here. She’s taking on Williams – her idol no less – at her own game and beating her soundly. How will the American legend respond?

Adrian McMurray2.51pm:Serena saves the set … for now

Williams saves the set with a powerful service game, but it looks like this one’s going to the Japanese superstar. Osaka to serve for the set at 5-3.

Adrian McMurray2.46pm:Osaka powers in front

Osaka holds! Big turnaround here, she’s found her rhythm. Unforced errors cruelled her in that game, which lasted almost six minutes. Williams had a break point but failed to convert. The American has had the better of things so far but the tide’s swinging the way of Osaka.

And it’s clear in the very next game – Osaka breaks! Huge forehand winner gives Osaka a 4-2 lead.

“It’s almost like she was playing Serena in the first few games … now she’s playing the ball again,” Jim Courier says in commentary.

Osaka goes on to hold the next game – her fifth in a row – to lead 5-2!

Adrian McMurray2.36pm:Osaka fires up

This is more like it from the third seed! She’s looking much more like herself, hitting two winners and forcing errors en route to the break. Williams stares at her box after the game. We’re back on serve, 2-all.

Adrian McMurray2.28pm:Osaka shaky

Osaka holds, but she still doesn’t look herself. Her serve is down, she looks flustered. She finishes the game with an ace but a bigger pattern has emerged early. Williams leads 2-1.

Adrian McMurray2.20pm:Big start from Serena

Here we go! This is big-time tennis, it has a real box office feel to it. And it’s great to see the crowd back in at Rod Laver Arena after Melbourne’s lockdown ended.

Osaka serves first and it’s the perfect start for Serena. Errors and a double fault allow Williams to break right from the get-go. She holds, and has raced to a 2-0 lead. Impressive start!

Courtney Walsh2.00pm:Pursuit of history overshadows semis

There are four women chasing an Australian Open dream over the next three days but Serena William’s pursuit of history overshadows all of them.

When Williams made her professional debut in Quebec in 1995, her compatriot and fellow Australian Open semi-finalist Jennifer Brady was just six months old.

Naomi Osaka and Karolina Muchova, the other two women standing between the American equalling Margaret Court’s record of 24 major titles this week, were not yet born.

The gulf in age between Williams and her remaining rivals in this Open is astonishing and so, too, is the gap between their achievements and on-court experience.

When the American steps on to Rod Laver Arena in her 77th major – the three other remaining rivals have played 49 grand slam tournaments combined – a historic milestone will be within reach.

Read the full story here.

Wally Mason1.55pm:What’s the point of doubles tennis?

COMMENT

Almost everything about doubles tennis annoys me. Men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles – all of it seems like table tennis without the table.

Picture: Getty Images
Picture: Getty Images

That thing where players whisper to each other behind their hands before every point so the other lot can’t read their lips – annoying.

That thing where the player not serving crouches down and does hand signals behind his or her back that none of us understand – annoying.

Or the thing where players fist-pump at the end of each point, even if they have lost – annoying.

And the fact that most matches are dull contests between players we have never heard of involving none of the athleticism, passion, drama and excitement of singles tennis – very annoying.

Let’s face it, about the best thing you can say about doubles is that it provides the broadcaster with a relatively cheap way of filling in the gaps between real tennis matches.

Read the full story here.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-2021-day-11-live-serena-williams-pursuit-of-history-overshadows-semis/news-story/ccc22aa565979e6fd87b72d19664ad55