55-shot point to end the first set of his
U.S. Open semifinal while building a big lead against Karen Khachanov and held on for a 7-6 (5), 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 victory Friday that put him in his second Grand Slam title match of the year.
When it ended, spectators in Arthur Ashe Stadium called out his name, "Ruuuuud!" — and it sounded sort of as if they were booing, rather than saluting.
Ruud, the runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the French Open in June, is a 23-year-old from Norway who can move from No. 7 to No. 1 in the rankings by winning the championship at Flushing Meadows on Sunday.
"After Roland Garros, I was, of course, extremely happy," Ruud said, "but also humble enough to think that could be my only final of my career."
Well, here he is, back at that stage just a few months later. His opponent in this final on Sunday will be
No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain or
No. 26 Frances Tiafoe of the United States. Like Ruud, Alcaraz went into Friday with a chance to rise to replace 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev atop the rankings after the tournament.