Duel for number 1: Alcaraz follows Ruud into the final

The 19-year-old Alcaraz won his thrilling semi-final game on Saturday night against the American crowd favorite Frances Tiafoe 6:7 (6:8), 6:3, 6:1, 6:7 (5:7) and 6 :3. Ruud (23) had previously booked his ticket to the final with a 7:6 (7:5), 6:2, 5:7 and 6:2 against Russian Karen Khachanow.

The winner of the final on Sunday (22.00 p.m. CEST) not only wins his first Grand Slam title, but also replaces the dethroned defending champion Daniil Medvedev from Russia as the leader of the world rankings. Alcaraz happy, Tiafoe fights back tears Alcaraz is the youngest US Open finalist since 1990, when American Pete Sampras lifted the trophy at the age of 19 years and 28 days. The Spaniard didn't notice the 5:15 hour marathon two days earlier in the quarterfinals against South Tyrolean Jannik Sinner - on the contrary: after narrowly losing the first set, Alcaraz really turned up the heat and deservedly moved into his first Grand Slam final .

Frances Tiafoe was struggling. © APA/getty / Sarah Stier

“We are in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam, so we have to give it our all, regardless of whether it lasts four or five hours,” said Alcaraz, explaining his enormous reserves of strength. Tiafoe fought back tears. “I feel like I’ve disappointed everyone,” said the 24-year-old into the stadium microphone: “I’ll be back and I’ll win this thing. I’m sorry, guys!”

Tiafoe, who was also cheered on at Arthur Ashe Stadium by former First Lady Michelle Obama, experienced an inexplicable drop in performance. The Americans still have to wait for their first men's Grand Slam title since 2003 (Andy Roddick). Tiafoe was at least able to console himself with a US Open record: He was the first professional in history to finish the tournament with an impeccable tie-break record of 8-0. 55 rallies amaze “I'm so happy,” said Ruud after his second final in a Grand Slam tournament: “We were both a bit nervous at the beginning, luckily I won the first set.” And how: At the set point, the former's son proved it Australian Open round of 55 player Christian Ruud had nerves and class in the XNUMX-stroke rally. “In the second and fourth,” he said, “I played phenomenal.”

The Polish world number one Iga Swiatek and Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur from Tunisia will play for the title in the women's final on Saturday (22.00 p.m. CEST). “It will be a great fight,” predicted Swiatek.

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Duel for number 1: Alcaraz follows Ruud into the final

The young Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz is fighting for the title and number one in the world rankings in the US Open final in New York against Norwegian Casper Ruud.

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