With his 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win over Grigor Dimitrov, Aslan Karatsev has become the first man in the Open Era to reach the semi-finals on his Grand Slam debut.
After a tight first two sets, Dimitrov was rattled with a lower back/hip injury and subsequently struggled immensely to move around the court.
Dimitrov looked impressive early on but as his back worsened his body began to show its limitations with a stagnant service motion and restricted movement.
The World No. 21 took a medical timeout in between the second and third set, but it provided little help for the former Australian Open semi-finalist as Karatsev took control and claimed the match.
Karatsev wrapped up the victory in two hours and 32 minutes. The Russian managed to convert on an impressive 8/11 break points and slammed home nine aces.
“It's an unbelievable feeling. Of course, it's my first time playing [a Grand Slam] main draw, first time [in the] semis," Karatsev said in his on-court interview.
“It was really tough from the beginning for me to hold the nerves. It was really tricky."
Despite being his first Grand Slam appearance, heading into the Australian Open the Russian had won 38 of his past 44 matches.
With the victory, the 27-year-old doubled his career earnings in just a week. He has guaranteed himself $AUD 850,000, setting himself up for a solid year.
The World No. 114 will now play either Novak Djokovic or Alexander Zverev for a spot in the final.