Australian Open 2021 day nine: Grigor Dimitrov v Aslan Karatsev, Osaka breezes into semis – live!

3.05am EST 03:05

Get yourself into the mood: here’s something on Serena from Joy of Six: champions.

3.05am EST 03:05

Simona-Serena, then. I don’t think the former is playing that well, but she’s improving through the rounds and probably has the mental edge after beating Serena at Wimbledon. Only joking, no one has the mental edge over Serena, whose match against Sabalenka showed everyone but most importantly showed her that she’s right back at it. She moved really well in that one, as of the two is probably the more comfortable with where she’s at; partly that’s a personality thing, partly that’s a career thing, partly that’s a form thing. The bookies can’t split them, but I’m going to stick my neck out and lean towards the greatest we’ve ever seen.

3.00am EST 03:00

And with that, I’ll hand you over to my colleague Daniel Harris, who will take you through the big women’s quarter-final and into the men’s later in the evening at Melbourne Park.

2.47am EST 02:47

Speaking of Ash Barty, the world No 1 is planning a full playing schedule in 2021, including the Tokyo Olympics, says her coach.

Barty effectively took a sabbatical during 2020 and had said she would continue to prioritise her and her team’s health in 2021, with the Covid-19 pandemic still raging across much of the globe.

But Craig Tyzzer has said they’re planning on heading overseas, with several events already entered.

“We’re planning on going to the Middle East. We’ve entered Doha, Dubai and Miami. We’ll head off to those tournaments,” Tyzzer said. “Because of the quarantine arrangements here [in Australia], we won’t come back for a while. We’ll be away for a while if we go.”

On the Olympics, Tyzzer said: “She’s down to play. She’s pretty keen to play. We’re hoping for her that that goes ahead. She’s very excited.”

2.18am EST 02:18

Tomorrow’s order of play is in: Ash Barty is first up on Rod Laver.

2.06am EST 02:06

So, Karatsev becomes the first man in 53 years of professional tennis to reach the Australian Open semi-finals on his grand slam debut. Wow. For Dimitrov, his grand slam frustrations continue.

Don’t go anywhere, Serena Williams and Simona Halep are up next, to kick off the night session with what could potentially the match of the Open so far.

1.49am EST 01:49

Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 2-6 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimitrov unleashes his pent-up frustration with a huge backhand winner on the opening point of this game, but that’s pretty much his last hurrah of the 2021 Australian Open. It’s game, set and match Karatsev! It’s probably not the way he would have wanted to do it, but Karatsev is an Australian Open semi-finalist in his debut grand slam. Incredible really, the fairytale continues, with Novak Djokovic or Alex Zverev next in line.

1.43am EST 01:43

Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 2-5 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) “I’m sorry,” Dimitrov says towards his box as he stretches for a ball that he can only return into the net. He’s done and knows this one’s over. Karatsev holds and he’s a single game from the semis now.

1.41am EST 01:41

Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 2-4 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) The Channel Nine commentators are rolling out the “anything can happen in sport” line, as Dimitrov holds serve.

1.38am EST 01:38

Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 1-4 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) Karatsev moves another game towards the most unlikely of semi-final appearances. He’s a qualifier, don’t forget. Meanwhile, Dimitrov is going to see this one out, even though the writing’s on the wall. Credit to him.

1.35am EST 01:35

Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 1-3 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimtrov fires down an ace to suggest there’s some life in his challenge yet and then a 23-shot rally ends not with Dimitrov collapsing in a heap, but with the Bulgarian unfurling a lovely backhand winner down the line. But that’s as far as he can go this game. Karatsev finds a winner off his forehand to bring up break point and he goes on to take a two-game lead.

1.30am EST 01:30

Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 1-2* Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) No bother for Karatsev on serve. At times Dimitrov looks tired, and it’s difficult to see a way back into this match at this point. Karatsev, meanwhile, just has to keep landing his shots.

1.25am EST 01:25

Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 1-1 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) OK, this is better from Dimitrov. He’s still capable of making shots, despite the problem with his back, and does so on several occasions this game.

1.22am EST 01:22

Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 0-1 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) Dimitrov desperately tries to get himself moving and get the energy levels back up. But he still seems a way off 100%. Karatsev, meanwhile, can’t believe his luck. That’s a comfortable hold for the Russian.

1.18am EST 01:18

OK, Dimitrov is back out on court. He will carry on, for now at least. He’s likely had some painkillers – let’s see how well they have worked. Let’s get this fourth set under way. Karatsev leads 2-1.

1.13am EST 01:13

Dimitrov calls a medical timeout and heads off court, down the tunnel of champions and into the bowels of Melbourne Park for some treatment. It appears to be his back that’s giving him grief, and I’m not sure he’ll return.

1.12am EST 01:12

Third set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-6 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) This is bizarre. Dimitrov barely makes any effort on his serve; on set point for Karatsev the Bulgarian tosses over a dolly of a serve and starts to walk off court even before it lands on the other side. Karatsev lands his return in an empty service court, and he claims the second set. Dimitrov will be seen to by the trainer, and let’s hope he can return to see this one out.

1.09am EST 01:09

Third set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-5 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) Dimitrov’s had enough! At least for this game, and possibly the set. He’s returning Karatsev’s serves with little to no effort (although one of them, miraculously, turns into a winner), but the Russian wraps his service game up with ease. The trainer’s been called and will attend to Dimitrov at the end of the next game, you’d imagine.

1.06am EST 01:06

Third set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-4 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimitrov is in trouble! On the last couple of points he simply serves at half pace and then walks away. Is it cramp? Not entirely sure, but there’s clearly something up. Conversely, everything Karatsev touches turns to gold at the moment. Is this the beginning of the end for Dimitrov? He shakes his head at his box during the changeover.

1.02am EST 01:02

Third set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-3 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) The pendulum has well and truly swung Karatsev’s way. Dimitrov needs to change something here if he’s to get back on track.

12.59am EST 00:59

Third set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-2 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimitrov’s second serve is wavering at the moment – his ball toss isn’t right at all and he’s off balance by the time he strikes the ball. It’s a problem that besets early in this game, and the Bulgarian never really recovers. Karantsev capitalises and it’s the Russian who makes the first breakthrough of the third set!

Russia’s Aslan Karatsev. Photograph: Andy Brownbill/AP

12.51am EST 00:51

Third set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-1 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) There are none of the problems that beset Dimitrov early in the previous game for Karatsev in his first service game of the third. And a beautiful double-handed backhand winner down the line seals a comfortable hold to love.

12.48am EST 00:48

Third set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-0 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimitrov starts the third on very shaky ground, double faulting twice in the opening two points. But just as you think he’s on a downward spiral, he arrests the slide, impressively so, and goes on to hold without any further loss of points. Sighs of relief all around the Bulgarian’s box.

12.43am EST 00:43

Second set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) We’re all square! Karatsev’s serve doesn’t fail him this time, as Dimitrov’s error count increases – four in total this game, which Karatsev serves out to love. Amazing really, there was a point early this set that you feared he would be bundled out in straight sets. Still a long way to go.

12.40am EST 00:40

Second set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-5 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) What a time to break! “C’mon!” is the cry from a clenched-fisted Karatsev as he breaks Dimitrov’s serve! Dimitrov was the architect of his own fall there, with some sloppy serving, in particular a double fault at deuce, contributing. And Karatsev will now serve to level things up at 1-1!

12.33am EST 00:33

Second set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-4 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) At the changeover, Karatsev looks hot under the collar. With the temperature having risen to the early 30s, the Russian uses what looks like an air conditioning pipe to blow air onto his face as he takes a load off. It seems to have the desired effect and he serves out to hold with a minimum of fuss for the first time for what seems like ages. “New balls please!”

12.29am EST 00:29

Second set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-3 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) A polite smattering of applause arrives midway through the second point of this game, which is just weird. Dimitrov, meanwhile, gets back into the swing of things with the ball in his hand and holds with ease to nudge ahead once more.

12.25am EST 00:25

Second set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 3-3 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) With a golden opportunity to open up a two-game lead in this second set, Karatsev blows it. Errors continue to plague the Russian’s game; he brings up the unwanted milestone of 30 for the match so far – and adds another two for good measure – before double faulting on a second break point. That’s the second time he has failed to consolidate a break today. Dimitrov breathes a sigh of relief.

12.21am EST 00:21

Second set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 2-3 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Wow, I was not expecting this. Dimitrov shows a glimmer of hesitancy and Karatsev pounces to break. Where did that come from? Dimitrov was breezing through his service games but the wheels fall off this one. This could well prove to be a turning point.

12.15am EST 00:15

Second set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 2-2 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) What a shot! The shot of the day so far comes off Dimitrov’s racket, a perfectly executed sliced backhand that Karatsev simply has no answer to. The Bulgarian goes on to bring up two break point chances, but again, Karatsev saves both. That’s seven in the last two games he has saved. Karatsev manages to hold, thanks to an ace on game point, but he’s really being made to work hard for each hold. That could well take its toll before too long.

12.10am EST 00:10

Second set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 2-1 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) In stark contrast to that last game, this one’s over in a flash. Still, the ledger reads that each player held their service game, and that’s all that counts for now.

Russia’s Aslan Karatsev feels the heat before games. Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images

12.06am EST 00:06

Second set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 1-1 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) Karatsev finds himself in trouble on numerous occasions this game and cannot to extricate himself from the holes he digs for over 10 minutes in the longest game by far of the day so far. He does, eventually, but it takes him six deuces and five saved break points to do so. That’s a huge hold in the end.

11.52pm EST 23:52

Second set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 1-0 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimitrov makes the opening game of the second set look easy, forcing Karatsev into a couple of errors and throwing down an ace on his way to an early lead.

11.48pm EST 23:48

First set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) The errors continue to flow for Karatsev, which makes life pretty easy for Dimitrov to be honest. Perhaps the Russian has already checked out of this set. Well, he is out of it now, as Dimitrov breaks to claim the opener in just 33 minutes.

11.45pm EST 23:45

First set: Grigor Dimitrov* 5-2 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) The momentum is well and truly with Dimitrov as Karatsev’s error count increases (17 unforced errors so far). A couple of aces help Dimitrov to a comfortable hold and the Bulgarian’s one game away from taking the opening set.

11.42pm EST 23:42

First set: Grigor Dimitrov 4-2 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) Karatsev aces at 15-30 down and follows with a well-executed point as he dictates play and has Dimitrov running all over the court. He soon faces break points though. Both are saved, the first quite simply – serve, forehand, backhand winner – the second when a Dimitrov ball lands out at the baseline. A third double fault of the day lands him in trouble once again though and this time, Karatsev is long and Dimitrov has his second break of the day. Stat: Karatsev’s average forehand speed is a whopping 137kph so far today – higher than his tournament average.

11.33pm EST 23:33

First set: Grigor Dimitrov* 3-2 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimitrov holds to love to steady the Bulgarian’s ship on serve. Stat (the last one for now): if Karatsev wins today, he’ll become the first man to reach a grand slam semi-final on debut.