Aslan Karatsev is set to compete in the Round of 16 in the ongoing Maharashtra Open, in Pune,&nbsp;on Thursday (February 03). Ahead of his match versus Swedish player Elias Ymer, Alsan spilled the beans on the high-voltage Australian Open men's singles final between his compatriot Russia's Daniil Medvedev and Spaniard Rafael Nadal. In a marquee clash at the Melbourne Park, Australia, on Sunday (January 30), Nadal came from behind in a historic fashion to triumph over World No. 2 Medvedev, winning 2-6, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.

During the mega finale, Medvedev made heads turn as he wasn't backed enough by the relentless Aussie crowd at Melbourne Park. The Russian did impress with his style of play and composure throughout the course of the tournament Down Under, however, didn't manage to win enough fans. The Russain was pretty vocal of the lack of support during post-match pressers in the tournamment.

To this, Karatsev told Wion Sports' Editor Digvijay Singh Deo in an exclusive chat, "Ofcourse fans love the Big Three. I played against Andy Murray in Sydney (International), all the crowd support was with him. They have done a lot for our sport so it is obvious....It was just a short period of time that he was sad, later he (Medvedev) realised it. Plus, Nadal was coming back from injury, having not played for almost half a year,&nbsp;so fans' support was sure to be with him.."

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The 28-year-old Russian player Karatsev, who was knocked out in the third round of Aus Open 2022, has&nbsp; had a rollercoaster ride since turning into a professional in 2011. His breakthrough moment came at the 2021 Aus Open, reaching the semi-finals (where he lost to Novak Djokovic). With this, he became the first player to reach a Grand Slam semi-final on his main draw debut. He has won the ATP Cup and Davis Cup with Russia as well as an Olympic silver medal as the youngster is on course for gaining many more accolades.

Revealing why he opted to feature in India's only ATP Tour Event, where he is top seed, Aslan said, "Basically, I played the tournament in Australia. I played in Sydney and straight away in Aus Open. It is a good opportunity to play here. Here I am top-seed but there are a lot of good players&nbsp;so I've to be ready to compete and be at my best."

Karatsev, who is enjoying a career-high ranking of No.15 in the world currently, is raring to go the distance in the Maharashtra Open, to join an elite list of champions such as Stan Wawrinka, Carlos Moya, Marin Cilic, etc.

The Russian had&nbsp;tried to feature in the Pune main draw in 2020.&nbsp;Back then, he lost his qualifying opener at the tournament. Thus, Aslan will be eager to go the distance in the top event this time around.

Aslan Karatsev is set to compete in the Round of 16 in the ongoing Maharashtra Open, in Pune, on Thursday (February 03). Ahead of his match versus Swedish player Elias Ymer, Alsan spilled the beans on the high-voltage Australian Open men's singles final between his compatriot Russia's Daniil Medvedev and Spaniard Rafael Nadal.

Aslan Karatsev is set to compete in the Round of 16 in the ongoing Maharashtra Open, in Pune, on Thursday (February 03). Ahead of his match versus Swedish player Elias Ymer, Alsan spilled the beans on the high-voltage Australian Open men's singles final between his compatriot Russia's Daniil Medvedev and Spaniard Rafael Nadal. In a marquee clash at the Melbourne Park, Australia, on Sunday (January 30), Nadal came from behind in a historic fashion to triumph over World No. 2 Medvedev, winning 2-6, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5. During the mega finale, Medvedev made heads turn as he wasn't backed enough by the relentless Aussie crowd at Melbourne Park. The Russian did impress with his style of play and composure throughout the course of the tournament Down Under, however, didn't manage to win enough fans. The Russain was pretty vocal of the lack of support during post-match pressers in the tournamment. To this, Karatsev told Wion Sports' Editor Digvijay Singh Deo in an exclusive chat, "Ofcourse fans love the Big Three. I played against Andy Murray in Sydney (International), all the crowd support was with him. They have done a lot for our sport so it is obvious....It was just a short period of time that he was sad, later he (Medvedev) realised it. Plus, Nadal was coming back from injury, having not played for almost half a year, so fans' support was sure to be with him.." ALSO READ | EXCLUSIVE | Aus Open 2022: Rafael Nadal is G.O.A.T, he's like a Jekyll of Hyde, says Indian coach Nandan Bal × ALSO READ | EXCLUSIVE | Christian Horner opens up on Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton rivalry The 28-year-old Russian player Karatsev, who was knocked out in the third round of Aus Open 2022, has had a rollercoaster ride since turning into a professional in 2011. His breakthrough moment came at the 2021 Aus Open, reaching the semi-finals (where he lost to Novak Djokovic). With this, he became the first player to reach a Grand Slam semi-final on his main draw debut. He has won the ATP Cup and Davis Cup with Russia as well as an Olympic silver medal as the youngster is on course for gaining many more accolades. Revealing why he opted to feature in India's only ATP Tour Event, where he is top seed, Aslan said, "Basically, I played the tournament in Australia. I played in Sydney and straight away in Aus Open. It is a good opportunity to play here. Here I am top-seed but there are a lot of good players so I've to be ready to compete and be at my best." Karatsev, who is enjoying a career-high ranking of No.15 in the world currently, is raring to go the distance in the Maharashtra Open, to join an elite list of champions such as Stan Wawrinka, Carlos Moya, Marin Cilic, etc. The Russian had tried to feature in the Pune main draw in 2020. Back then, he lost his qualifying opener at the tournament. Thus, Aslan will be eager to go the distance in the top event this time around.

EXCLUSIVE | 'Fans love Big Three': Aslan Karatsev on lack of support for Daniil Medvedev in Aus Open final

Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev became the first man in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam semi-final on debut Tuesday, overcoming an injured Grigor Dimitrov in four sets at the Australian Open.

The 27-year-old's dream run continued with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2&nbsp;win against the Bulgarian on Rod Laver Arena to set up a last-four clash with top seed Novak Djokovic or sixth seed Alexander Zverev.

But it was achieved against a player grimacing with pain from late in the third set.

Dimitrov called for a medical timeout and was heard on the court microphone saying he had "spasms", with a trainer given him treatment to his lower back.

The 18th seed gamely returned but his movement was hampered as she struggled to serve and chase down returns.&nbsp;

"Unbelievable feeling, first time in semis. Incredible," said Karatsev.

"It was tough at the beginning for me to hold my nerves, but I tried to find a way to play."&nbsp;

In making the last four, he became just the second qualifier to do so at the Australian Open after Bob Giltinan in 1977.

He was also the lowest-ranked man, at 114, to make the semis at a Slam since Goran Ivanisevic at Wimbledon in 2001 when ranked 125.

A virtual unknown before the tournament started, Karatsev has spent the bulk of his professional career fighting for points on the ATP Challenger Tour.&nbsp;

But he has played the tournament of his life in Melbourne, blitzing eighth seed Diego Schwartzmann and 20th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime on his way to meeting Dimitrov.

Dimitrov served to love to open proceedings but Karatsev fixed his radar and broke for 2-1 when the Bulgarian fluffed a forehand.

But the advantage only lasted until the next game when Dimitrov levelled then broke again for 4-2, winning five games in a row to take the opening set in just 33 minutes.

The Russian was guilty of too many loose shots and had trouble landing his forehands.

But he is a fighter and refused to go quietly, breaking for a 3-2 lead in the second on the back of a wild Dimitrov volley then breaking again to unexpectedly secure the second set.

His persistence began irritating Dimitrov, who started muttering to himself as frustrations crept in and he went 3-1 down in the third set.

The Bulgarian then began struggling as the set wore on and was barely able to serve at 1-5 before taking the medical timeout.

The 29-year-old returned but never looked like getting back in the match.

Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev became the first man in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam semi-final on debut Tuesday, overcoming an injured Grigor Dimitrov in four sets at the Australian Open.

Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev became the first man in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam semi-final on debut Tuesday, overcoming an injured Grigor Dimitrov in four sets at the Australian Open. The 27-year-old's dream run continued with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win against the Bulgarian on Rod Laver Arena to set up a last-four clash with top seed Novak Djokovic or sixth seed Alexander Zverev. But it was achieved against a player grimacing with pain from late in the third set. Dimitrov called for a medical timeout and was heard on the court microphone saying he had "spasms", with a trainer given him treatment to his lower back. The 18th seed gamely returned but his movement was hampered as she struggled to serve and chase down returns. "Unbelievable feeling, first time in semis. Incredible," said Karatsev. "It was tough at the beginning for me to hold my nerves, but I tried to find a way to play." In making the last four, he became just the second qualifier to do so at the Australian Open after Bob Giltinan in 1977. He was also the lowest-ranked man, at 114, to make the semis at a Slam since Goran Ivanisevic at Wimbledon in 2001 when ranked 125. A virtual unknown before the tournament started, Karatsev has spent the bulk of his professional career fighting for points on the ATP Challenger Tour. But he has played the tournament of his life in Melbourne, blitzing eighth seed Diego Schwartzmann and 20th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime on his way to meeting Dimitrov. Dimitrov served to love to open proceedings but Karatsev fixed his radar and broke for 2-1 when the Bulgarian fluffed a forehand. But the advantage only lasted until the next game when Dimitrov levelled then broke again for 4-2, winning five games in a row to take the opening set in just 33 minutes. The Russian was guilty of too many loose shots and had trouble landing his forehands. But he is a fighter and refused to go quietly, breaking for a 3-2 lead in the second on the back of a wild Dimitrov volley then breaking again to unexpectedly secure the second set. His persistence began irritating Dimitrov, who started muttering to himself as frustrations crept in and he went 3-1 down in the third set. The Bulgarian then began struggling as the set wore on and was barely able to serve at 1-5 before taking the medical timeout. The 29-year-old returned but never looked like getting back in the match.

History-making qualifier Karatsev reaches Australian Open semis

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EXCLUSIVE | 'Fans love Big Three': Aslan Karatsev on lack of support for Daniil Medvedev in Aus Open final

History-making qualifier Karatsev reaches Australian Open semis