(Tennis news) Norwegian tennis player Casper Ruud remains on track to win his maiden Grand Slam title after a four set 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 5-7 6-2 win over Karen Khachanov in the semi finals of the US Open. Ruud was defeated by Rafael Nadal in the final of the French Open final earlier this year but now has a chance to make amends by taking on Carlos Alcaraz in the final after the Spanish teenager defeated Francis Tiafoe 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 6-3. If that wasn’t all, both Ruud and Alcaraz will also be fighting it out for the World Number 1 ranking, depending on who wins the match.

Speaking after the match against Khachanov, Casper Ruud said “This was another great match from my side. I think we were both a bit nervous at the beginning. This match is probably the biggest match of both of our careers. Phenomenal in the second and the fourth sets and Karen stepped up in the third. I'm just extremely happy. I thought the French Open might have been the only slam final of my career. Here I am back again a couple of months later. It feels beyond words to describe." 

Surprisingly, all the four players featuring in the semi finals had never reached this stage of the US Open before and the inexperience was evident. Ruud took a 2-0 lead but was a break down when Khachanov went on to take four out of the next five games. After an incredible 55 shot rally, the Norwegian clinched the set from his third set point. Ruud was in complete control of the second set but Khachanov fought back valiantly to win the third set 5-7. Ruud then fought hard in the fourth set, breaking Khachanov’s serve with his forehand in the third game to secure the win in just under three hours.

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