Published: 16 January 2022
Last updated: 4 March 2024
Rising Russian player ends Scot's comeback campaign and withstands rowdy crowd to dominate the final
ASLAN KARATSEV DOMINATED Andy Murray, and overcame a rowdy Scottish support squad, to win the Sydney Classic tennis tournament last night.
The Jewish and Israeli-bred top seed, who left Israel as a teenager to further his career in Russia, underlined his remarkable rise through world rankings over the past year to completely outclass the British veteran, who is making a comeback after a crippling hip injury.
Karatsev won 6-3 6-3 and was the dominant player throughout the 90-minute match, often making Murray look tired and ineffective as he overpowered the Scot from the baseline, and scorched forehand winners down the line with Murray looking on helpless.
It was the third career title for Karatsev, 28, who launched himself on to the world’s tennis stage a year ago when he made the semi-finals of the Australian Open, as an unknown qualifier, ranked 114 in the world.
He enter this year’s event ranked 18 in the world and in tremendous form. His serve against Murray was penetrating and won him many free points; his backhand was solid and deep.
Karatsev was composed when Murray held several break points against him midway through the second set and overcame a double-fault wobble on match point to seal victory a few points later.
