New York (AFP)
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz beat host Frances Tiafoe and Norway’s Kasper Ruud through Russia’s Karen Khachanov, to set up a date in the US Open final, the last of the four grand slams in tennis, to claim the first Grand Slam and world number one.
This will be the first final in Flushing Meadows for the fourth-ranked Spaniard and the seventh Norwegian, to ensure the first two places in the classification on Monday, with a new context and an exciting scenario.
In order to seize the opportunity to win his first major title of his career at the age of 19, “Phenomena” Alcaraz had to fight for four hours and 19 minutes to defeat Tiafoe 6-7 (6/8), 6-3.6-1.6- 7 (5/7) 6-3, after the American was ecstatic by eliminating first national Rafael Nadal from the quarter-finals.
With the addition of five hours and a quarter to his victory over Italian Yannick Sener in an epic quarter-final match, the Spaniard has spent more than nine and a half hours at Arthur Ashe Stadium in just under two days.
“When you play in the semi-finals of a major tournament, you have to give everything and fight to the last ball, regardless of whether the match lasts five or six hours…” Alcaraz said after the victory.
For his part, Tiafo said: “I gave everything, but Carlos was very strong. This loss is really painful. I will come back one day and win this tournament.”
On the other hand, the 23-year-old Rudd, who had already lost to Nadal on Paris clay, calmly overcame Khachanov’s obstacle 7-6 (7/5), 6-2,5-7, 6-2.
“I played another very good match,” the Norwegian said with joy after the match. We were very nervous at first, but it’s normal, for him as for me, it was the most important game of our career. The Roland Garros final could have been my only Grand Slam final, but I’m here again at this stage and I’m very happy.”
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