US Open Semifinals LIVE: Fifth seed Caper Ruud has advanced to his maiden US Open final as he defeated Karen Khachanov 7-6, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in the semifinal on Friday. With the win, Ruud has made it to his second Grand Slam final this year. He is also very close to reaching the No.1 ranking in the world. Follow US Open 2022 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
US Open Semifinal LIVE: Casper Ruud makes it to his maiden US Open final, defeats Karen Khachanov in semifinal in four sets- Check Highlights
HERE TO MAKE HISTORY 🇳🇴@CasperRuud98 defeats Karen Khachanov 7-6, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 to become the first Norwegian #USOpen men’s finalist 🙌@usopen pic.twitter.com/jGhDJ1q7th
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 9, 2022
Both the players showed signs of nerves in a tight first set. Playing their first semifinal at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, it looked as if both the players had some nerbes and took time to settle. Ruud started off vrilliantly by breaking Khachanov in the first service game. But the Norwegian couldn’t capitalise on the lead as he squandered his next service game as Khachanov levelled 2-2. Khachanov went on to get another break but Ruud came back in the contest to take the game into the tie-breaker. Finally it was Ruud who clinched the set in style.
Serving at 6/5, the Norwegian outlasted Khachanov in a high-quality 55-shot rally. Ruud fired a backhand down the line that the 27th seed could only push into the net. Ruud raised his arms aloft as he walked back to his chair soaking in the applause of the New York crowd.
In the second set the Norwegian was at his best as he broke Khachanov twice and raced off to a 4-1 lead. He then closed out the set 6-2 to enter the third round. With Ruud eyeing a straight set victory, Khachanov made it tough for the Norwegian as he gave a good fight. He did not concede a single break and won his six service games and finally leading 6-5, he broke Ruud’s sixth service game to win the third set 7-5 and took the contest into the fourth set.
A gift for your highlight-loving eyes.@CasperRuud98 wins an incredible 55-ball rally on set point. 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/VMDkX4Q4Ew
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2022
In the fourth set, Ruud made a comeback as he broke Khachanov twice to take 4-1 lead. He held on to his next two service games as he clinched the victory to book a spot in the final.
“This match today was another great match from my side,” Ruud said in his on-court interview. “I think we were both a bit nervous at the beginning, a few breaks back and forth. But you have to take into account that this match is probably the biggest in both of our careers. Of course there will also be some nerves but I was fortunate to win that first set, which calmed my nerves a little bit.
“I played phenomenal in the second and Karen stepped up in the third. It was back and forth like every five setter is, but I am just so happy. After Roland Garros I was extremely happy but of course humble enough to think that could be my only final at a Grand Slam in my career. It doesn’t come easy, but here I am back again a couple months later.”
Should the fifth seed triumph in New York, he will become the first Norwegian to rise to World No. 1 on Monday. He will also climb to top spot if Tiafoe eliminates two-time ATP Masters 1000 champion Alcaraz in tonight’s semi-final. By reaching the final, Ruud ended Rafael Nadal’s hopes of returning to World No. 1 Monday.
US Open Semifinal LIVE: Casper Ruud makes it to his maiden US Open final, defeats Karen Khachanov in semifinal in four sets- Check Highlights
