By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday October 23, 2021
Aslan Karatsev powered past Karen Khachanov to book a spot in the Kremlin Cup final.
Photo Source: Kremlin Cup
The breathtaking 2021 campaign of Aslan Karatsev continues.
On Saturday the 28-year-old pushed past compatriot Karen Khachanov 7-6(7), 6-1 to book his third career final, and third of 2021.
Karatsev had to battle tooth and nail to get through a difficult first set, saving four set points before claiming the tiebreak, 7-6(7).
The Russian then swiftly moved through the second set to snatch his 33rd victory across 2021 – his current 33-18 record is a remarkable contrast to his ATP record entering 2021, which was 3-10.
Karatsev will face two-time Kremlin Cup champion Marin Cilic in the final. The Croatian improved to 15-2 lifetime at Moscow with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis.
Cilic defeated Karatsev in their only previous ATP meeting this summer at Cincinnati, 7-5, 6-3. The 33-year-old will bid for his 20th career title on Sunday in Moscow.