(New York) Having started the 2022 season with just one Grand Slam fourth-round appearance, Casper Ruud was determined to improve that record.
A day before the start of the Australian Open in January, he twisted his ankle in training and had to withdraw from the event. Not at all ideal, but look at it now: semi-finalist in New York, Ruud has a chance of climbing to first place in the ATP rankings, in the wake of a final appearance at Roland-Garros.
He would occupy the throne of men’s tennis with a victory in the final on Sunday, or if he finds himself there against a player other than Carlos Alcaraz.
The 23-year-old Norwegian, coached by his father, former professional player Christian, turned what he described as his best career start into a 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 win (4) ahead of Matteo Berrettini in the quarter-finals on Monday.
“Something clicked in Paris. I feel like I’ve figured out the best way to approach games that go up to five innings,” said fifth-seeded Ruud. It is very different from the formula two of three.
“It was a matter of realizing that you can skip a heat once in a while, to save energy.”
He improved to 12-2 in Grand Slams in 2022 after committing just two unforced errors in the first set, 11 less than Berrettini.
“All shots were going my way,” Ruud said. I landed all the shots I needed. »
Three players have a chance to replace Medvedev at the top of men’s tennis: Ruud, Rafael Nadal (beaten in the fourth round by Frances Tiafoe) and Carlos Alcaraz (who faces Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals on Wednesday).
Ruud’s next rival will be Karen Khachanov, 27e seed, who had the last laugh 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (3) and 6-4 over Nick Kyrgios, 23e Headlining.
