US Open: Casper Ruud boosts hopes of world No 1 by reaching semifinals in New York | Tennis News
Norway’s Casper Ruud beat Matteo Berrettini in consecutive sets to reach his first US Open semi-final and boost his hopes of becoming world No.
Ruud saved two set points in the third set on his way to a 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win over Italian Berrettini.
The French Open finalist must reach the final to have a chance to topple Rafael Nadal to take the top spot, while if he meets Carlos Alcaraz to compete for the trophy, the winner will also rise to the top of the men’s event. .
The Norwegian is certainly in the mix to claim his first Grand Slam title, with defeats to Nadal, Daniil Medvedev and Marin Cilic in the fourth round meaning there will be a major champion. new male.
Ruud said of the standings: “I don’t want to think too much about it. It’s something all young players dream of, of course. Let’s see if I can get it done.
“Of course it’s a little extra incentive to dig in. If I’m very, very lucky, I could leave New York as world number one.”
Ruud initially enjoyed success on clay but has since transformed himself into an all-court player, with his main strengths, consistency and strong physicality.
He overwhelmed Berrettini in the early stages, leading 6-1 5-1 before the Italian stepped up and made a fight in the second set.
Berrettini then led 5-2 in the third round and had two set points but Ruud hit back and dominated the tie-break to claim a spot in the second Grand Slam semi-final.
The 23-year-old said: “It was a better start than I’ve ever had in a game, things were going my way. I was able to care about the chances that I got.
“I was a little nervous towards the end of the second set because everything almost went so well. Sometimes you can get a little excited and think you can walk on water. I managed to do it. getting the second and third sets. was very difficult.”
Ruud now faces the prospect of facing Nick Kyrgios in the semi-finals. The fifth seed said: “He’s reached the final at Wimbledon and he’s in the quarterfinals here, so it’s clear he’s improved. He’s going to be a dangerous player for sure. . Let’s see if there’s drama – but I’m ready for anything.”
Double the fun for Britons in New York
Defend the champion Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram reached the semi-finals of the men’s doubles at the US Open with wins over Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski.
The match took place under the roof on Louis Armstrong Stadium with rain preventing the game from being played outdoors at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday.
Londoner Salisbury and American Ram looked good on their way to victory as they created four head-to-head points in the second set only for Monaco’s Nys and Pole Zielinski to break-break.
But Salisbury and Ram, who suffered a heartbreaking loss in the Wimbledon semi-finals holding five match points, soon broke the decisive break and seized their advantage to win 6-4 6- 7 (7-3) 6-4.
The British continued their success in the doubles with the second seed Neal Skupski and Wesley Koolhof joined Salisbury and Ram in the semi-finals.
They cannot meet before the final but both have high hopes of reaching the final.
Dutchman Liverpudlian Skupski and Koolhof have won six titles this season and are looking for their first success.
They reached the last four with a 6-3 6-1 win over Marcel Demoliner of Brazil and Joao Sousa of Portugal.
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