Karatsev sets up title clash with Murray in Sydney

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Sydney, Jan 15 (IANS) Top seed Aslan Karatsev of Russia set a first ATP Tour meeting with Great Britain's Andy Murray after fighting his way to a 6-3, 6-7(13), 6-3 win over world No. 26 Daniel Evans in the second Sydney Tennis Classic semifinal here.

In a late Friday match, Karatsev demonstrated why he arrived in Australia as an established member of the world's top-20, blasting 49 winners to reach his fourth ATP Tour final. Eleven months ago, the Russian was world No. 114 before bursting onto the scene at the 2021 Australian Open by becoming the first player in the Open Era to reach the semifinals on his Grand Slam main draw debut. He finally lost to Serbia's Novak Djokovic.

"I like to be here," said Karatsev when asked why he performs so well in Australia. "You arrive from winter to summer, there is nice weather and a nice atmosphere. You start the year fresh and with more energy, so I think this is the reason," Karatsev told atptour.com.

Karatsev's only previous meeting with Evans was a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win during his run to the 2021 Dubai title, and the top seed struck the ball nicely in Sydney. Particularly strong off his backhand, he broke the Briton twice to surge to a 5-1 lead, and it was to Evans' credit that he fought back to 3-5 as he began to move his opponent around the court more effectively.

Karatsev remained relentless, however, and he served out the first set, in which he won 81 per cent of points behind his first serve.

Third seed Evans was fighting to maintain a perfect record in 2022, having won all three of his singles matches at the multi-nation ATP Cup last week. He showed real grit to stay in the match, saving the only break point of the second set at 5-5. He then levelled the match in an epic tie-break, saving three match points before taking it 15/13 with his sixth set point.

The level from both players remained high even as the match stretched into a third hour, but after an exchange of breaks early in the deciding set, it was Karatsev who found a way to victory.

"It was a tough match against Evans," said Karatsev. "He's a guy who doesn't give you any free points at all."

Karatsev will look to win his third ATP Tour title later on Saturday against Murray. "I will be prepared," said Karatsev. "I have to rest a bit, prepare mentally and physically, and we will see tomorrow."

--IANS

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