The high-stakes encounter sees Ruud competing in his 2nd major final and Alcaraz his very first. The Norwegian fifth seed was blown away by Rafael Nadal in the final of the French Open this year, but Sunday’s match promises to be a closer affair — not least due to the fact Alcaraz appears to be in the habit of contesting five-set marathons.
The particular 19-year-old has played three consecutive five-set matches on the way to the final, including the 2nd longest match in the history of the US Open up when he overcame Jannik Sinner at 2: 50 a. m. within the quarterfinals — the particular tournament’s latest actually finish.
“It’s the ultimate of a grand slam, fighting for the Number 1 in the world — something that I have desired since I was a kid, ” Alcaraz told reporters after beating Frances Tiafoe in the final four.
Beat Ruud and Alcaraz would become the most youthful No . 1 within the history of the ATP rankings — a good accolade currently owned by Lleyton Hewitt, who reached the very best spot at the age of twenty in 2001.
The Spaniard offers enthralled crowds with his speed, athleticism, and outrageous shot-making recently and victory could be the first of many fantastic slam titles throughout his career.
At least, that’s what Tiafoe predicted as he compensated tribute to Alcaraz after their semifinal, calling his opposition “a hell of a player” and “a hell of a person. ”
Alcaraz, a clay court specialist who has drawn comparisons to compatriot and 22-time grand slam champ Nadal, is just the 2nd teenager in the Open Period to make the US Open up final after Pete Sampras. Regardless of the scoreline on Sunday, their future looks brilliant.
“Right now, you can see that the hard work I put in every day is definitely paying off, ” Alcaraz told reporters in the early hours associated with Saturday morning.
Ruud, meanwhile, will be chasing history of his own within the final with the chance to become the first Norwegian man to win a grand slam title.
He has spent less time on the court with this year’s tournament in comparison to Alcaraz, coming by means of just one five setter — against Tommy Paul in the third round.
It’s been the breakthrough year with regard to Ruud when it comes to the particular grand slams, the particular 23-year-old having never ever progressed further than the fourth round prior to this year’s French Open up.
“When you have success or achieve or even experience success within the grand slams, this sort of does something to your mindset, ” he told reporters on Friday. “Knowing that I can reach further stages, that does something along with your self-belief. ”
Ruud and Alcaraz have got faced each other on two previous events with the latter winning both, most recently within the final of this year’s Miami Open.
“We’re playing for the tournament and also world Number 1, ” stated Ruud. “Of training course, there will be nerves and we’ll both feel this. ”
Any nerves is going to be understandable: for the third consecutive year in the US Open, the first-time grand throw champion will be crowned in the men’s singles competition.