Norwegian tennis player Casper Ruud has qualified for the US Open final for the first time in his career. The fifth-seeded Norwegian was too strong for Russian Karen Khachanov in the semi-final battle in four sets: 7-6 (5) 6-2 5-7 6-2. The game lasted 2 hours and 59 minutes.
Four breaks took place in the exciting first set and Ruud only used his third set point. He did that with the longest rally of the match, which counted no less than 55 strokes. The set lasted almost an hour and how exciting that set was, the second was so one-sided. After half an hour Ruud had already won.
The third set seemed to end in a tiebreak, but Ruud handed in his service with a sloppy game when trailing 6-5. However, he showed resilience and recovered nicely. With a brilliant, hard forehand down the line, the Norwegian broke it at 1-1 and repeated it not much later. Khachanov (26), who was in the last four for the first time in a grand slam, was no longer involved against the solid Ruud, who played his best tennis at the decisive moments.
“In the first set, nerves played tricks on both of us. It was one of the biggest matches of our career for both of us,” said Ruud. “I’m very happy, because after Roland Garros I thought that could have been my only grand slam final.”
23-year-old Ruud will face the winner of the game between Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and American Frances Tiafoe in the final on Sunday. Should Alcaraz become the other finalist, the final battle will be a direct duel for the number 1 position in the world ranking.
Ruud, who started the tournament as the global number 7, has not yet conquered a major title. He was in the final of Roland Garros this year, in which he had no chance against Rafael Nadal.
Last year, Ruud lost to Botic van de Zandschulp at the US Open, who eventually made it to the quarterfinals.