Ruud advances to US Open final with a comfortable win over Khachanov


NEW YORK: Norway’s Casper Ruud used his powerful forehand to reach his second Grand Slam final of the year by beating Russia’s Karen Khachanov 7-6(5) 6-2 5-0 at the US Open. 7, 6-2 and kept his hopes alive of reaching the top of the world rankings.

The first Norwegian to reach the final at Flushing Meadows won an exceptional 55-shot rally to end the first set tiebreak on his way to victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The fifth meets either home hope Frances Tiafoe or third-placed Carlos Alcaraz from Spain in the final.

“This match is probably the greatest match of our two careers,” said Ruud, who was humbled when he lost in straight sets to Rafa Nadal in the Roland Garros final in June.

“You want to take care of the opportunities you have, and today I was able to do that.”

Ruud, 23, is known for his aplomb on clay but was just as effective on New York’s hard courts, winning 14 straight points to build a 5-1 lead in a nearly flawless second set.

His form deteriorated in the third, where he made 11 unforced errors and handed the break to Khachanov at set point.

However, Ruud rallied to convert breaks into chances in the third and fifth games of the fourth set and won the contest with a forehand winner, one of 20 in the entire game.

According to ATP, Ruud would make the jump from world number seven to number one if he lifts the trophy on Sunday or if Tiafoe beats Alcaraz in the semifinals later on Friday.