Top 5 Photos 3/19: Karatsev ends Rublev's win streak

The final round is set at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Aslan Karatsev is undefeated this season against opponents not named Dominic Thiem or Novak Djokovic, and will pose a great threat to Lloyd Harris, who is also searching for his first career ATP title.

These are the Top 5 Photos from Friday. (All photos Getty)

1

Aslan Karatsev astonishes again

At the start of 2020 the Russian was clinging to a Top 200 ranking, but something has clicked for the 27-year-old. After his astonishing Australian Open semifinal run from qualifying, he's now into his first ATP Tour-level final. Dialed in from start to finish, and lining up shots with the utmost precision, he served up a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory over countryman Andrey Rublev.

2

Andrey Rublev's run ends

Five victories away from tying Roger Federer's ATP 500 consecutive-match winning record, this Russian fell just short. Rublev has much to be proud of, though, having not lost at an ATP 500 event since last year in Hamburg—a total of 23 consecutive wins.

3

Lloyd Harris battles through pain...

The South African didn't have an easy day at the office in his Dubai semifinal against Denis Shapovalov. Trailing 3-4, in the opening set, Harris was forced to take a medical timeout due to tightness in his right thigh. The world No. 81 mentioned he "couldn't extend his leg much past 90 degrees."

4

...and finds a way

The 24-year-old would end up losing the first set in a close tiebreak, and fell behind a break in the second. And yet, it was Harris who would triumph, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (6). That's seven wins in the last seven days; he's the first Dubai qualifier ever to reach the final round.

5

Doubles nods: Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah

The Columbian duo became the first finalists of the day in Dubai. Farah and Cabal edged past Jan-Lennard Struff and Kevin Krawczyk, 6-3, 2-6, 10-7.