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Karatsev made history in 2021 when he reached the Australian Open semifinals, becoming the first Russian man to do so in over a decade. The qualifier's impressive run included victories over top players like Diego Schwartzman and Grigor Dimitrov before falling to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the final four. Karatsev's performance marked a breakthrough for the 27-year-old and showcased his potential as a rising star in men's tennis.