It is not so often that the quest for a first major title is coupled with that of accession to the throne of the ATP, in a single match. And it is even rarer that this scenario concerns not only one of the two finalists, but both.
This is what could happen on Sunday which will see Casper Ruud, 23, play in the final of the US Open after his victory on Friday, September 9, over Russian Karen Khachanov. The Norwegian could be joined by the Spanish phenomenon Carlos Alcaraz (4e world) for this double quest. But the latter, who emerged victorious from an epic showdown lasting 5:15 a.m. overnight from Wednesday to Thursday against the Italian Jannik Sinner, will first have to defeat the euphoric American Tiafoe on Friday evening (26e) who has not ceased to impress since he eliminated Rafael Nadal in the round of 16 and then Andrey Rublev in the quarters.
In the meantime, Casper Ruud (7e) passed its penultimate hurdle. He won 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 at the expense of Khachanov (31e), continuing his journey towards a destiny that he hopes to be golden this time at Flushing Meadows, three months after having failed to win a first Major at Roland-Garros, where he could not do anything in the final against the ogre of the ocher Nadal.
“Fabulous tennis”
“I still had a very good game. We were both very nervous at the start, but that’s normal, we must not forget that it was for him as for me the most important match of our career. Roland-Garros could have been the only final of my career, but here I am again at this stage and I am very happy about it.he rejoiced hotly.
After an exchange of courtesies, consisting of a successful break by one, immediately erased by the other, the first set ended in a decisive game. Ruud escaped to lead 6-3, thanks to a high backhand volley after a first reflexive return, then concluded on his third opportunity, after a rally of 55 exchanged shots, thanks to a violent long backhand line that pushed the Russian to the fault.
During this exchange, the Norwegian showed off his ability to defend very well, despite several attacks from his opponent, to ultimately counter. He didn’t have to work so hard in the next set, as there was only one man on the court, with Ruud winning 30 of 41 points contested and all of his shutout games.
“I played fabulous tennis in the second set”he agreed after the meeting.
More comfortable on the hard
In the third set, Khachanov nevertheless regained consistency in his game, especially in service, and was more aggressive, as he had been able to be in the previous round against the Australian Nick Kyrgios. He was rewarded in the twelfth game, converting his first set point on an opposing service.
But Ruud did not give his opponent time to believe in a fantastic comeback. He snatched serve twice in a row to escape 4-1, then held on to his advantage without flinching to complete the deal in just over three hours.
A specialist in clay, on which he has won eight of his nine titles on the circuit, including three in 2022, Ruud is taking a big step on cement this season. In April, he made it to the final at the Masters 1000 in Miami. Ease confirmed at the Masters 1000 in Montreal in early August where he reached the last four.
In New York, he made his way rather quietly during the fortnight, pushed only once in five sets by the American Tommy Paul in the third round, before raising his game more and more at the expense of the Italian Matteo Berrettini in the quarters, then against Khachanov. Here he is at the gates of the greatest performance of his career.