Aslan Karatsev’s year to remember: from 112th in the world to 18th

The Israeli-Russian tennis player has capped an extraordinary year by beating his compatriot Andrey Rublev to win in Dubai, providing a great launching pad for the 2022 Australian Open

Since his breakout performance at the Australian Open, where he became the first qualifyer to reach the semi-finals, Karatsev has beaten Djokovic and a host of other Top 10 players, won the mixed doubles at Roland Garros, and has been nominated as one of the most improved ATP players of 2021.

2021 in Review: Aslan Karatsev ends Andrey Rublev's streak in Dubai (Tennis World USA)
Andrey Rublev came to Dubai with four consecutive ATP 500 titles and 20 victories, seeking the fifth straight title at this level. The Russian beat three rivals to advance into the semis in the desert, facing the Australian Open semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev in a battle for the final.

The older Russian ended Andrey's streak of 23 ATP 500 wins following a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 triumph in two hours and 12 minutes, controlling the pace in sets one and three to advance into the title match.

A look at Aslan Karatsev's 2021 - The year of "The Lion (Sportskeeda)
At the end of 2020, Aslan Karatsev was ranked No. 112 in the world. The previous year, he had been World No. 289. The year before that, World No. 485. In 2017, he was 621st in the world. 2021 will see Karatsev finish within the Top-20 in the ATP rankings, as World No.18.