Looking for Tennis and Racket Sports International News?

Casper Ruud advanced to his second Grand Slam final and his first at the US Open with a four-set win against Karen Khachanov on Friday. One point might have made all the difference.

At 6/5 in the first-set tie-break, the pair engaged in a long rally. Neither man took control of the point until Ruud unleashed a backhand up the line that Khachanov missed into the net. The 55-shot rally not only earned Ruud the set, but gave him a heavy dose of momentum leading into the set set, which he claimed 6-2.

“It was a very important point in the match. Of course, set point. I had not wasted two because he served well on the two previous set points. I knew this [was] a chance to win the first set. I'm on my serve,” Ruud recalled. “I missed a serve by small margins the first serve. Looked like it could be an ace. Second serve we played for the rally. I think we both just refused to do a mistake knowing how important that point is.”

Just your basic 55-shot rally to clinch the first set.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/sVwr7rYXj7

Both players struck the ball with plenty of margin until Ruud cracked the backhand that ultimately decided the point.

Editor's Note: This story was originally published on 1 June 2022.

Casper Ruud advanced to his first US Open final on Friday when he defeated Karen Khachanov.. It is safe to say the Norwegian did not eat any tomato in the pre-match meal that helped fuel him across the line.

In this edition of 'Food Court', Ruud dishes on his favourite meal to cook, his guilty pleasures, why he does not eat tomatoes and more.

Let’s say you have to cook tonight, whether for yourself or for friends. What would you cook and why?
I would go for spaghetti vongole. It’s an Italian pasta dish with clams from the sea. I really like it and it’s not too difficult to make, actually. It sounds a bit fancy, but it’s not difficult at all.

How would you rate your cooking skills? Are you close to a Michelin star?
No, I’m not a Michelin star. I’m far, far away from it. Most days in my year I eat either in restaurants or takeout. [I go to] restaurants obviously when I’m out travelling and when I’m home I try to do some home-made meals, but mostly takeout as well.

The battle for No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings at the US Open is down to two players: Casper Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz.

When Ruud defeated Karen Khachanov in the US Open semi-finals, he eliminated Rafael Nadal from contention. If Alcaraz loses to Frances Tiafoe in tonight's second semi-final, Ruud will become the first Norwegian World No. 1 in Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday.

If Alcaraz reaches the championship match, Sunday’s final between the Spaniard and Ruud will be for a Grand Slam trophy and World No. 1.

Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings Round By Round

Ruud, who entered the tournament as World No. 7, is currently No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.

Casper Ruud moved past Karen Khachanov 7-6(5), 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 at the US Open on Friday to reach his second Grand Slam final, further boosting his chances of rising to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

The Norwegian soaked up the 27th seed’s powerful hitting while he won an epic 55-shot rally to win the first set. The fifth seed played with great intensity throughout the three-hour clash as he forced the 26-year-old into errors to move to within one win of capturing his maiden major title.

Ruud, who lost to Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros final in June, will face #NextGenATP Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz or American Frances Tiafoe in the championship match. Should the fifth seed triumph in New York, he will become the first Norwegian to rise to World No. 1 on Monday. He will also climb to top spot if Tiafoe eliminates two-time ATP Masters 1000 champion Alcaraz in tonight's semi-final. By reaching the final, Ruud ended Rafael Nadal's hopes of returning to World No. 1 Monday.

“This match today was another great match from my side,” Ruud said in his on-court interview. “I think we were both a bit nervous at the beginning, a few breaks back and forth. But you have to take into account that this match is probably the biggest in both of our careers. Of course there will also be some nerves but I was fortunate to win that first set, which calmed my nerves a little bit.

“I played phenomenal in the second and Karen stepped up in the third. It was back and forth like every five-setter is, but I am just so happy. After Roland Garros I was extremely happy but of course humble enough to think that could be my only final at a Grand Slam in my career. It doesn’t come easy, but here I am back again a couple [of] months later.”

Italian Francesco Passaro has an interesting take on the ATP Challenger Tour.

“Sometimes I think it’s more difficult to play Challengers than the ATP (Tour), because we are more hungry to go up. I think it’s like university for us and then the ATP Tour is the job. We are trying to study to be ATP Tour ready,” said the World No. 128, who is now 27-12 at the Challenger level this year.

Passaro is one of six Italian #NextGenATP youngsters who have claimed a Challenger title in 2022. Luca Nardi, Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Arnaldi, Francesco Maestrelli, and Lorenzo Musetti have also triumphed this season. The fresh crop of Italian stars often travel to tournaments as a group.

With 20 Italians inside the Top 200 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Passaro believes his countrymen are feeding off each other’s success and benefitting from attention given to Italy’s highest-ranked ATP Tour stars, which has kept pressure off the country’s emerging talent.

“I think Jannik [Sinner], Matteo [Berrettini], and Lorenzo [Musetti] are doing well for us. They take all the pressure of the media and we can do our run easier without a lot of attention,” Passaro said.

Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals for the fourth consecutive year on Friday after they lifted the trophy at the US Open. They are the second team to qualify for the season finale, joining Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski, whom they defeated in the final at Flushing Meadows.

Ram and Salisbury first qualified for the season finale in 2019 (round robin), advanced to the semi-finals at the year-end championships in 2020 and made the final in 2021 in Turin. Ram also partnered Raven Klaasen to the 2016 title match at The O2 in London.

Ram, 38, and Salisbury, 30, began the season with one ATP Masters 1000 title as a team. This year, they have added two Masters 1000 trophies to their collection with victories at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters and the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

The American-British duo carried their momentum from Cincinnati into New York, where they successfully defended their US Open crown. The triumph marked their third Grand Slam trophy together, having also won the 2020 Australian Open. Ram and Salisbury also reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open, the BNP Paribas Open and Wimbledon.

The Nitto ATP Finals will be played at the Pala Alpitour in Turin from 13-20 November. On the singles side, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz have also qualified.

Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury successfully defended their US Open crown Friday, when they overcame second seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski 7-6(4), 7-5 to win their third Grand Slam title as a team.

In a showdown on Arthur Ashe Stadium that determined who finished the tournament as the individual No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Doubles Rankings, it was the top seeds who stepped up and delivered.

Briton Salisbury, who has now won 11 tour-level titles, will remain as the World No. 1 following the victory. Skupski would have passed his countryman and climbed to top spot had he lifted his seventh tour-level trophy of the year and first major trophy with Dutchman Koolhof.

Ram and Salisbury closed the net effectively, attacked second serves and rallied from 1/4 in the first-set tie-break to eventually triumph after one hour and 57 minutes and improve to 2-1 in their ATP Head2Head series.

“I really don’t have any words,” Ram said during the trophy ceremony. “I got to come here the first year this stadium opened and play Arthur Ashe kids day when I was 14 and I watched Sampras win this tournament. I watched James [Blake] play an amazing match against Andre Agassi in 2005. I watched Andy Roddick win this tournament and Venus and Serena. To be a small part of that as an American, I don’t even know what to say. Thank you guys so much for coming out.”

Carlos Alcaraz had a day of recovery away from Flushing Meadows on Thursday ahead of his semi-final clash against Frances Tiafoe at the US Open. The Spaniard, who defeated Jannik Sinner in five sets, saving a match point during an epic, five-hour, 15-minute encounter, spent the day with his team and family, eating, resting and recovering from battle.

“Today, we decided not to practise any tennis so that he can rest, above all his muscular system,” explained Juan Carlos Ferrero, the coach of the 19-year-old. “He was feeling the effects this morning, tired, but nothing serious.”

[ATP APP]

Alcaraz’s mentor must surely have also been tired after going through the roller-coaster of emotions from the stands of the Arthur Ashe stadium?

“On Wednesday, we went through a lot of stress, but we’re really excited,” said Ferrero. “It was a tremendous match, sublime, from both of them. Watching previous matches with him, I knew it would be very difficult and would be decided by the fine details.

Tennis is mourning the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and other Commonwealth realms, who passed away at the age of 96 on 8 September 2022.

Among those paying tribute, were ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi, who said: "‘It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She epitomised grace, poise and strength throughout her extraordinary reign, and leaves behind an indelible legacy. Several of our players were fortunate to meet her over the years, special memories that will be cherished forever. On behalf of everyone at the ATP, we send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth."

Former World No. 1 Roger Federer shared his condolences on Twitter: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Royal Majesty. Her elegance, grace and loyalty to her duty will live on in history. I would like to send my thoughts and condolences to the entire Royal Family and Great Britain.”

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Royal Majesty. Her elegance, grace and loyalty to her duty will live on in history. I would like to send my thoughts and condolences to the entire Royal Family and Great Britain. pic.twitter.com/4rrUIPbLkV

Queen Elizabeth II was the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club from 1952 until 2016, while she visited The Championships in 1957, 1962, 1977 and 2010.

When Frances Tiafoe first began his professional career, Washington Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard invited him into the NBA team’s locker room after a game. Tiafoe introduced himself to several players in the room, including star Bradley Beal, who is now a three-time NBA All Star.

“I’ve always kept track with him ever since then and just been happy with his success and he’s continued to come to games and shown his support,” Beal told ATPTour.com. “It’s kind of crazy to see the success he’s had and seen his journey and being a guy from D.C., that’s even [made it] much bigger.”

Beal has tried to show his own support for Tiafoe at this US Open, where he has been traveling back and forth from Washington to New York while he prepares for his season to watch Tiafoe compete in the US Open. The 29-year-old has watched his friend defeat 22-time major winner Rafael Nadal and ninth seed Andrey Rublev.

“That’s just kind of how D.C. is. D.C. athletes, we have that special relationship with each other. We always reach out to each other and check in. We support one another. We understand this is a true sports town and so we try to support each other’s teams and each other’s endeavours whether it’s on or off the field or court or whatever it is that we do,” Beal said. “It’s always love shown. It’s no different than that. He’s always been awesome in that regard. He’s always shown love to me, to what we’ve done and has always shown his support so this is me kind of paying it back to him.”

Cameras have caught Beal getting out of his chair after big points to support Tiafoe as he has battled into his first Grand Slam semi-final. He has appreciated the energy the 22nd seed has brought to the court, which has earned Tiafoe the full backing of the New York crowd.

Back in 1972, the ATP was formed at the US Open in a move that revolutionised the sport. Fast forward 16 years and the world’s leading players arrived in New York at the hard-court major demanding further change.

As part of ATP’s anniversary celebrations, ATPTour.com has identified 50 game-changing moments of the past 50 years and collated them in an immersive feature. Here we look at how the 'Parking Lot Press Conference' in 1988 paved the way for the creation of the ATP Tour in 1990.

[ATP APP]

With the ATP logo hastily duct-taped to the podium, a rented PA system and a parking lot for a venue, the press conference of 30 August 1988 that crystallized momentum for the birth of the ATP Tour could be called 'no frills' at best. But as ATP CEO Hamilton Jordan delivered ‘Tennis at the Crossroads’, a critique of the opportunities and problems facing men's professional tennis, the gathering outside the gates of the US Open had immediate — and lasting — impact.

Its roots were long-standing, but in the space of 16 months men’s professional tennis changed irrevocably due to the foresight of the ATP Board, the world’s leading players and the political nous of one man — a former Chief of Staff to US President Jimmy Carter — determined to make a positive change for a sport that had been in a state of flux.

Roger Federer shared his condolences to the Royal Family and Great Britain on Thursday following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Royal Majesty,” Federer wrote on Twitter. “Her elegance, grace and loyalty to her duty will live on in history. I would like to send my thoughts and condolences to the entire Royal Family and Great Britain.”

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Royal Majesty. Her elegance, grace and loyalty to her duty will live on in history. I would like to send my thoughts and condolences to the entire Royal Family and Great Britain. pic.twitter.com/4rrUIPbLkV

Federer and other tennis stars including Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki met the Queen at Wimbledon in 2010 when she attended the grass-court Grand Slam, her first visit to The Championships in 33 years. The Queen watched Andy Murray defeat Jarkko Nieminen.

“Just enjoyed sitting right next to her at lunch really and getting a chance to know what kind of a person she is, because you hear a lot obviously about people of her status,” Federer said at the time. “It was nice. She was very friendly, very relaxed. You could tell she's done this a million times. She made everybody feel very special at the table, one of those things you'll never forget, and be able to tell to your kids or someone down the line.”

The battle for the No. 1 spot in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings has been one of the most interesting storylines of this US Open. On Friday, it could be decided.

If Casper Ruud loses to Karen Khachanov in the first semi-final and Carlos Alcaraz falls to Frances Tiafoe, Rafael Nadal will return to World No. 1 for the ninth time. If Alcaraz or Ruud win, Nadal will be eliminated from contention.

If Alcaraz and Ruud both advance to the final, everything will be at stake on Sunday. The Spaniard and Norwegian would be playing for their first Grand Slam trophy and World No. 1. If one of them wins his semi-final and the other doesn't, the player who reaches the final will be World No. 1 on Monday.

Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings Round By Round

After 3:30 a.m. on Thursday morning following his epic five-set quarter-final thriller against Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz was asked by a reporter if his opportunity to reach World No. 1 had entered his mind during the match.

With history on the line, Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe will look to break new ground when they meet in the semi-finals at the US Open on Friday.

The 19-year-old Alcaraz booked his place in the last four in one of the matches of the season in the early hours of Thursday morning. The Spaniard saved one match point en route to a thrilling five-set victory against Jannik Sinner to become the youngest Grand Slam men’s semi-finalist since Rafael Nadal, 19, at Roland Garros in 2005 and the youngest US Open men’s semi-finalist since Pete Sampras, 19, in 1990.

View Schedule | View Singles Draw | View Doubles Draw

[ATP APP]

Alcaraz will be aiming to back up that standout victory and reach his maiden Grand Slam championship match when he faces American Tiafoe on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The two-time ATP Masters 1000 champion is expecting a tough test against the home favourite, though, with Tiafoe leading the third seed 1-0 in their ATP Head2Head series.

In 2019, Michael Locksley became the head coach of the football team at the University of Maryland. His previous job was as offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama, one of the most successful sports programmes at any level in any sport in the world.

Locksley was told a young professional tennis player wanted to meet with him to learn more about what made Alabama successful. That player was Frances Tiafoe.

“He came up to my office to meet me and had a lot of questions,” Locksley recalled. “What is that programme about? How do they win? How do they do it consistently?”

Locksley had first met Tiafoe when he was a young teen — Tiafoe is a fixture on the sporting scene in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, otherwise known as the ‘DMV’. But this first formal interaction impressed the coach, and from then on he has become a mentor to the 24-year-old, who on Wednesday advanced to his first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open.

“Anyone who knows him knows that he has an elite athleticism about him,” Locksley said. “I know he’s been right there at the cusp a few times. With the questions he asked about Alabama, he was trying to find that secret sauce or that extra advantage or edge that would help him get over the top, which we’ve seen here firsthand at Flushing Meadows.

Reigning champions Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury moved to within one win of retaining their US Open title Thursday, when they edged Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(6).

In a hard-fought semi-final clash, the top seeds won 79 per cent (54/68) of their first-serve points and showed their fighting spirit, rallying from a break down in the third set to eventually triumph after three hours and 14 minutes.

Ram and Salisbury now hold a 16-2 record at the hard-court Grand Slam as a team. They defeated Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares in the final last year to lift their second major trophy together.

[ATP APP]

The American-British tandem will face second seeds Neal Skupski and Wesley Koolhof or third seeds Marcelo Arevalo and Jean-Julien Rojer in the championship match. Ram and Salisbury, who will qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals if they win the title, are aiming to become just the second team to defend their US Open crown. Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde captured the trophy in 1995 and 1996.

Casper Ruud’s quest for a first Grand Slam title will hit fever pitch on Friday when he takes to court against Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals at the US Open.

The Norwegian demonstrated his title credentials when he dispatched Italian Matteo Berrettini in straight sets to record his 43rd win of a standout season. With confidence high and the No. 1 Pepperstone ATP Ranking within reach, the fifth seed looks like a major threat on the hard courts in New York.

View Schedule | View Singles Draw | View Doubles Draw

[ATP APP]

However, having never been beyond the third round in four previous appearances at Flushing Meadows, Ruud admitted he was not expecting his success in New York this fortnight.

Jannik Sinner played his part in a US Open classic against Carlos Alcaraz in the early hours of Thursday morning. The Italian hammered the ball with unrelenting force throughout the five-hour, 15-minute clash, but was unable to prevail, with the Spaniard showing his fighting spirit and quality to advance in five sets.

The 21-year-old, who squandered a match point in the fourth set, admitted that his loss against Alcaraz will haunt him for a while.

“I had some tough losses. This is in the top list,” Sinner said in his post-match press conference. “Concerning the rest of the tournament, I think this one will hurt for quite a while. But tomorrow I [will] wake up, trying to somehow take only the positives, trying to take away the other part.”

[ATP APP]

Sinner edged past Daniel Altmaier and Ilya Ivashka in five sets en route to his fourth Grand Slam quarter-final. However, with a first major semi-final on the line, the 11th seed was unable to find a way past Alcaraz in their fourth ATP Head2Head meeting.

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in the early hours of Thursday morning at the US Open in a classic five-hour, 15-minute match that captured the world’s attention.

Stars from inside and outside the tennis world, including Stan Wawrinka and Coco Gauff reacted to the quarter-final clash on social media, with many calling it the match of the year.

[ATP APP]

Read More From The Quarter-Final Match
Alcaraz Saves MP; Outlasts Sinner In Historic US Open QF Thriller
Alcaraz: ‘The Energy I Received Was Unbelievable’
Alcaraz Qualifies For Turin

How good is this match #Alcaraz - #Sinner ? @usopen ??