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By Tennis Now | Saturday, January 15, 2022

 
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Aslan Karatsev saved all five break points he faced powering past Andy Murray 6-3, 6-3 to capture his third career ATP title at the Sydney Tennis Classic.

Photo credit: Getty

Aslan Karatsev solidified his status as weekend warrior.

The top-seeded Karatsev saved all five break points he faced powering past Andy Murray 6-3, 6-3 to capture his third career title at the Sydney Tennis Classic.

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"To start a season with a title, it's a good start and good preparation for Australian Open," Karatsev said. "Yeah, to get some confidence beginning of the year, it's always good."



Facing one of the game's premier servers, Karatsev was first class on second serve winning 18 of 25 second-serve points doubling Murray's second-serve point total.

"I mean, against him you have to always to play more aggressive, to try to dictate the point, because he's the guy who is I think one of the best defender, so he can defend unbelievable," Karatsev said. "Once you get to his game, it will be tough to get out of it. So I think more important was to play more aggressive from my side."

The 28-year-old Karatsev, who reached the Australian Open semifinals last February, broke Murray to open the match and quickly consolidated at love. Karatsev cracked 14 winners compared to four errors to build a one-set lead.

Tennis Express

The Russian won eight of the first nine points played on his serve in the second set breaking Murray again in his opening service game as he charged out to a 3-0 second-set lead.

Former world No. 1 Murray battled hard but came up short in his quest for a 47th career ATP title.

"I'd like to congratulate Aslan on a fantastic week. I know he also arrived here late in Australia, he was recovering from COVID, so even more impressive to come back straight away and play at that level. Good job and all the best for the Aussie Open," Murray said.. "I'd like to thank my team who are here for all of their help this week. It's my first time back in the finals for three years, it's been a long road to get back here but I couldn't have done it without all of your help so thank you.

"I'd also like to say thank you to everyone who put the event on, this is my first time in Sydney, you did a fantastic job. It's not easy times just now to run events but I really enkoyed it so thanks so much to everyone for putting this event on."

 

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