Alcaraz Faces Ruud And Jabeur Joins Swiatek In US Finals
US Open
September 10, 2022
Alcaraz is remarkable and by the end of the weekend he could be world number one.
But then again young Carlos isn’t the only finalist who could earn that honour in New York.
His opponent, Casper Ruud might also find he is ‘top of the heap,’ as Frank Sinatra once sang.
And Ruud is playing so well that he might just bring it home for Norway in his second Grand Slam final.
Will the experience of playing the Roland Garros showpiece earlier in the year give the underdog the edge?
He might also have a little more left in the tank after beating Karen Khachanov 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.
Alcaraz in contrast just endured another superhuman marathon against home favourite Frances Tiafoe.
Wimbledon 2023 will be quite something if Alcaraz and Tiafoe can hit these heights again.
It’s hard to believe that any tennis could surpass the level achieved by the Big Three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the last decade or more.
But for sheer spectacular speed and agility, Alcaraz and Tiafoe defied belief time and again with seemingly impossible rallies last night.
When all was said and done in the early hours, the Spaniard had defeated the brave American 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3 in another truly wonderful semi-final.
The 19-year-old Spaniard seems to have endless energy and becomes the youngest man to try for world number one in a US Open final, evoking memories of the great Pete Sampras.
‘I will have to handle the nerves of my first Grand Slam final but I will give it everything,’ said Alcaraz afterwards.
No such first-time nerves for Iga Swiatek or Ons Jabeur.
The popular Tunisian reached the Wimbledon final this year. And she will be determined to go one better and lift some major silverware.
Iga Swiatek meanwhile has already won the French Open twice.
Both women will be among the strong favourites for Wimbledon 2023.
Who will triumph in New York? Swiatek is world number one but actually hasn’t been playing that well by her own extraordinary standards.
Can Jabeur take her chance this time? We’ll soon see.