CNN
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When Casper Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz meet in the US Open final, there will not only be a maiden Grand Slam title on the line, but also a place at the top of the world rankings.
The high-stakes encounter sees Ruud enter his second major final and Alcaraz his first. Norway’s fifth seed was blown away by Rafael Nadal in this year’s French Open final, but Sunday’s game promises to be closer, not least because Alcaraz seem to be used to running marathons in five sets.
The 19-year-old played three straight five-set matches on his way to the final, including the second-longest match in US Open history when he defeated Jannik Sinner at 2:50 a.m. in the quarter-finals. final – the last game of the tournament. never finish.
“It’s a grand slam final, fighting for world No. 1 – something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid,” Alcaraz told reporters after beating Frances Tiafoe in the last four.
Beating Ruud and Alcaraz would become the youngest No. 1 in ATP rankings history – a distinction currently held by Lleyton Hewitt, who rose to the top spot aged 20 in 2001.
The Spaniard captivated crowds with his speed, athleticism and outrageous shooting this week and the win could be the first of many Grand Slam titles in his career.
At least that’s what Tiafoe predicted as he paid tribute to Alcaraz after their semi-final, calling his opponent “player from hell” and “person from hell”.
Alcaraz, a clay-court specialist who has drawn comparisons to fellow countryman and 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal, is only the second Open Era teenager to advance to the US Open final after Pete Sampras. Regardless of Sunday’s score, his future looks bright.
“Right now you can see that all the hard work I put in every day is paying off,” Alcaraz told reporters in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Ruud, meanwhile, will continue his story in the final with the chance to become the first Norwegian to win a Grand Slam title.
He spent less time on the pitch at this year’s tournament compared to Alcaraz, managing just one five assists – against Tommy Paul in the third round.
It was a breakthrough year for Ruud as far as Grand Slams go, with the 23-year-old never progressing further than the fourth round ahead of this year’s French Open.
“When you’re successful or you’re successful or you’re successful in Grand Slams, it kind of does something to your mindset,” he told reporters on Friday. “Knowing that I can reach other milestones, it does something with your self-confidence.”
Ruud and Alcaraz have faced each other twice, with the latter winning both, most recently in the final of this year’s Miami Open.
“We play for the tournament and also for the world number 1,” said Ruud. “Of course there will be nerves and we will both feel it.”
Any nervousness will be understandable: for the third consecutive year at the US Open, a first-time Grand Slam champion will be crowned in men’s singles.
