Within the males’s last of the U.S. Open, Casper Ruud will put up a struggle.
Ruud, a 23-year-old Norwegian and the No. 5 seed, boasts a robust forehand, and he has Grand Slam last expertise now after dropping this yr’s French Open to Rafael Nadal.
Ruud’s forehand served him properly in his Friday semifinal in opposition to Karen Khachanov of Russia, which he gained, 7-6(5), 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. Ruud used his forehand finest within the fourth and last set of the match, when he gave up no factors within the last recreation.
After the match, Khachanov complimented Ruud’s forehand and his capability to maneuver across the court docket.
“His predominant weapon is his forehand, going round, accelerating the ball, having one of many heaviest topspins on tour,” Khachanov informed reporters after the match. “He improved his backhand as properly. He’s not lacking that many balls.”
After the match, Ruud mentioned he’s higher ready for this last after dropping the French Open last earlier this yr in opposition to Nadal — whether or not he faces Carlos Alcaraz or Frances Tiafoe.
“He clearly gave me beating,” Ruud mentioned of Nadal. “Whoever it’s, they’ve reached the ultimate for a motive and they’re enjoying nice. Carlos and Frances are each very electrical gamers, play with loads of pleasure and may convey up unbelievable rallies and factors. So I’ve to be ready for every thing.”
Taking part in in entrance of 20,000 followers in Arthur Ashe Stadium might be intimidating, and Ruud mentioned that enjoying the French Open taught him what to anticipate from the group in a Grand Slam last.
“At the least I do know a bit bit what I’m going through once I’m stepping on the court docket, seeing the trophy on the again of the court docket, seeing tons of celebrities,” Ruud mentioned. “Even in Roland Garros, there have been royal households there watching. That was a bit little bit of a brand new expertise for me. I hope I might be extra prepared for that on Sunday.”
To beat Alcaraz, Ruud mentioned he would must be exact together with his pictures and attempt to hold him farther again from the baseline, “to play with good depth and size on all my pictures.”
“If he steps in, he can do something with the ball,” Ruud mentioned. “He can rip a winner.”
Ruud mentioned Tiafoe has been enjoying “tactically very good,” particularly in his fourth-round match in opposition to Nadal.
“To beat him it is advisable give you one thing particular, and he did,” Ruud mentioned on what it took Tiafoe to defeat Nadal. “He took the ball very early and form of pressured Rafa. I used to be watching the match lots. I haven’t watched all his matches, however the Rafa match I watched virtually every thing of. That was actually spectacular.”