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“I am going to take the popcorn and enjoy it. I have absolutely zero preference who makes the final – I am going to enjoy it.”
Karatsev had been bidding to become the lowest-ranked man to reach a Grand Slam final since Djokovic’s coach won Wimbledon in 2001 ranked No 125.
He started strongly but Djokovic finished the 35-minute first set by winning 12 of the last 13 points. The Russian fought back from 1-5 down in the second set and had two break points to draw the match level at 5-5 before the world No.1 took his third set point and punched the air in celebration.
And the Serb, who restored order in the third set, led the applause as Karatsev left the Rod Laver Arena at the end of the match. “We need to give him a hand,” said the 17-time Grand Slam winner. “Huge congratulations to him in reaching the semi-finals. I don’t think it has ever happened in the history of tennis. Well done. He played a great tournament.”
