Qualifier Aslan Karatsev continues to author one of the great stories in recent tennis history as he rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat 20th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round of the Australian Open.

The Russian, ranked 114th in the world, is into the quarterfinals, the first man to reach the last eight of a Grand Slam since Alex Radulescu at Wimbledon in 1996 and will face 18th seed Grigor Dimitrov for a spot in the semifinals.

Karatsev completes comeback to become unlikely major quarterfinalist

Auger-Aliassime began on the front foot, breaking when Karatsev missed on a forehand, the first of three straight breaks, the last coming when the Russian double-faulted to give the 20th seed a 3-1 lead.

The Canadian had to dig out of 0-40 in the seventh game and after holding to go up 5-2, he served out the set to love, clinching a one-set lead when Karatsev missed on a forehand.

Auger-Aliassime let a golden opportunity to reach his first career major quarterfinal slip through his fingers/Photo: Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Auger-Aliassime let a golden opportunity to reach his first career major quarterfinal slip through his fingers/Photo: Peter Staples/ATP Tour

The second set was a runaway, Auger-Aliassime winning the final five games from 1-1 as the 114th-ranked qualifier was continuing to misfire on his forehand side, losing his three service games with errors on that side.

Each man was holding comfortably as the third set began, Auger-Aliassime saw his own forehand desert him, missing on a number on forehands as Karatsev broke for a 3-2 lead and the comeback was well and truly on.

Karatsev won eight of the final nine points, holding with an ace for a 5-3 advantage and after breaking to love, the deficit was cut in half as the Canadian now led two sets one.

The fourth game of the fourth set gave the Russian the edge he needed as he broke Auger-Aliassime missed on yet another forehand as Karatsev went ahead 3-1. 

Karatsev plays a forehand in his fourth-round match/Photo: Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Karatsev plays a forehand in his fourth-round match/Photo: Peter Staples/ATP Tour

After holding to love in his next two service games, Karatsev held a set point and fired home an ace to even the match and force a fifth and deciding set.

Auger-Aliassime double-faulted to start the fourth game of the fifth set, a precursor to what was to come in the game as three unforced errors gave away the break to Karatsev as he led 3-1.

The Canadian came through a 17-point game to stay within touch at 4-3, but it was of little consequence as Karatsev held to love, a final forehand winner sealing a quarterfinal spot and continuing a most improbable journey.

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