Aus Open 2021 Semi Final: Novak Djokovic vs Aslan Karatsev Betting Preview

After a long Covid break, we’ve hit a good time for sports fans and especially, for sports bettors as we’ve got plenty of sporting action lined up daily for you. The 2021 Australian Open is currently underway and it’s been exciting fun so far, both in the men’s as well as women’s tournaments. So far, we have 3 of the top 4 men’s seeds still in the competition, as we reach the final stages.

In Semi Final 1 of the tournament on 18th February 2021, we have legendary player and current world number #1 Serbian Novak Djokovic in action who has honestly had his troubles in this tournament, but he manages to show his class at the end of night, in all of his games so far. He hasn’t been at his unbeatable best because of injuries but he finds a way to keep winning.

He’ll be playing Russian-Israeli Aslan Karatsev who has scripted a story for the ages so far. The unseeded qualifier has gone on to make the semi final on his GRAND SLAM DEBUT. He’s the first qualifier to reach a quarterfinal on Grand Slam debut since Alex Rădulescu did so in Wimbledon 1996. However, the bookmakers don’t fancy his run to continue, up at massive odds of 11 on BetWinner to complete this upset!

2021 Australian Open so far

Talking about the top seed, he’s had a rocky road to the semi final, having just one straight set victory, which came back in his Round 1 game against Jeremy Chardy. Since then, he had three 4-setters and one mega 5-setter against Taylor Fritz. Fatigue will certainly be a factor for him, recently having beaten Alexander Zverev where he lost the opening set before making a comeback to win the game 3-1. He’s a big favourite to win today at odds of 1.05 on BetWinner.

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As for the Russian qualifier, Karatsev has been magnificent, the world number #114 beating 3 seeded players in his 5 matches so far. After winning 3 qualifiers to get here, he won his first three rounds in straight sets before taking down Felix Auger Aliassime in 5 sets and most recently, Grigor Dimitrov in 4 sets in his quarter final game. Do you think he has some surprises left in him?!

There aren’t too many good betting options if you think Djokovic is going to sail through yet again but there’s too much of value available on Karatsev. Not only to win this game but if he does do so, there’s even more value available on him going on to win the title. Prior to his quarter final game, he was listed at odds of 67 to win the 2021 Australian Open and that has now dropped to odds of 24 on BetWinner!

Djokovic vs Karatsev head to head

Currently, these two players are tied 0-0 as they’ve have not faced off on tour before but that’s hardly any surprise. The 27-year old Karatsev has a slight advantage here because Djokovic has never had the chance to play him and learn his game. Serving will play a crucial role as the Serb is second in the tournament with 83 Aces while Karatsev has fired out only 48 Aces so far in the 2021 Australian Open!