After "really big down", qualifier Aslan Karatsev rises back up with Madrid semifinal run

There’s something about being a qualifier that brings out the best in Aslan Karatsev on big stages.

On Thursday, the 29-year-old defeated Zhang Zhizhen, 7-6 (3), 6-4, to become just the second ATP qualifier in Mutua Madrid Open history to reach the semifinals. After falling behind early in the tie-break, Karatsev surged by winning seven consecutive points—then converted the lone break of the clash to open the second set, an advantage he held onto the rest of the way.

At the 2021 Australian Open, Karatsev broke through as the first man in the Open Era to appear in the semifinals on his major debut—and he achieved it as a qualifier. The breakout tournament ignited a string of successes over the next 12 months that included capturing three ATP titles, upstaging Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev, winning the Davis Cup and rising to a career-high No. 14.

Then came the notorious sophomore slump, one that carried over into the first quarter of this year. Having begun 2022 with six wins out of the gate, Karatsev finished the rest of the way at just 11-29. And though he opened 2023 with a semifinal showing in Pune, Karatsev’s struggles persisted. He lost seven straight main-draw openers that included one defeat at the challenger level and his ranking fell as low as No. 129.

“There is always ups and downs, but for me, I had really big down, let's say. But also, it's related [to] some personal reasons We start again with my coach (Yahor Yatsyk) that we worked before. We start in Basel,” Karatsev told press Thursday.

“Really happy that we find a way to start to work together. This is the guy who can help me most of the coaches right now on the court, off the court. So we have a really good combination.”

Since arriving to the Caja Magica, Karatsev has caught fire with the explosive game that turned heads two years ago. He’s relinquished a single set through two qualifying wins and five-main draw victories. He posted just two games in a one-sided loss to Botic van de Zandschulp the week prior in Munich, but quickly flipped the script in taking out his first of three consecutive seeds. The latter was second-seeded Medvedev, who had no answers for the bullets coming off his countryman’s racquet. Over his past three victories, Karatsev has combined for 93 winners, ensuring wins and losses have been decided by his racquet.

“I think I get up my level. I bring it back,” he said. “I don't know how to compare if I play the same as two years ago, but I feel great on court. I feel confident. I stay focused on my game.”

Up to just outside the Top 50 in the live rankings, a win over Stefanos Tsitsipas or Jan-Lennard Struff (who he beat during qualifying) would put Karatsev in contention for a Roland Garros seeding. Talk about bringing it back.