A surprising men’s semifinal lineup will take center stage at the US Open on Friday. Coming off a marathon match against Jannik Sinner on Wednesday, Carlos Alcaraz will be back in action when he faces Frances Tiafoe. That showdown is preceded by a matchup featuring Casper Ruud and Karen Khachanov.
(3) Carlos Alcaraz vs. (22) Frances Tiafoe
Is Alcaraz on his second life in New York? It might even be more than that. Alcaraz is coming off back-to-back five-setters–both ending after 2:00 am–as he heads into the semifinals of the U.S. Open on Friday night. After holding off Marin Cilic in a fourth-round thriller, the 19-year-old saved one match point and outlasted Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3 on Wednesday. It lasted five hours and 15 minutes and was surely one of the best matches in tournament history.
Alcaraz will have to get right back in gear less than 48 hours later to meet Tiafoe for the second time. Their only previous encounter came last spring on the red clay of Barcelona, where Tiafoe prevailed 6-4, 7-6(2). The American would be a big underdog now given his opponent’s rise to the top of the game, but the fact that Alcaraz has played two straight fiver-setters well into the morning may even the playing field. In fact, it probably even tips the scales in Tiafoe’s favor. Plus the No. 22 seed is in awesome form. He upset Rafael Nadal in the fourth round and then ousted Andrey Rublev in straight sets. With the crowd firmly behind him, Tiafoe has a good chance to keep his run going into the final.
Pick: Tiafoe in 4
(27) Karen Khachanov vs. (5) Casper Ruud
Like Alcaraz, Ruud also has a chance to leave New York as the No. 1 player in the world. If either one of them advances to the final and the other loses on Friday, it will be decided. If they both reach the title match, that showdown would not only be for the U.S. Open title but also for the top ranking. If they both lose in the semis, Rafael Nadal will overtake Daniil Medvedev for No. 1.
Ruud should be able to take care of his own business. The Norwegian is already a slam finalist, having finished runner-up to Nadal at the French Open this spring. He has improved dramatically on hard courts, too, so another appearance–even away from clay–would not come as much of a surprise. Ruud reached the Miami final (lost to Alcaraz) and more recently made it to the semis in Montreal. The world No. 7 is 1-0 lifetime against Khachanov, having prevailed in three sets at the 2020 Rome Masters. Sure, that was on Ruud’s preferred clay-court surface–but there is no reason why he can’t get the best of Khachanov again even amidst faster conditions.
Pick: Ruud in 5
Alcaraz has had a ton of support from the NY crowd and that support has helped him. Will it really all go to Big Foe? If the crowd really does pull behind the Foe that could work against Alcaraz and help.him win.
I really like both KK and Ruud as people but this semi feels pretty bizarre. Ruud has now benefited twice from being in slam quarters with Tsitsi and other seeds going out. And of course at RG the draw was almost farcically lopsided. Seems to me he is there through good fortune mostly. Other players losing early and Matteo not showing up mentally in he quarters. Meanwhile, KK did take out both PCB and NK. Although I read that PCB got sick. I haven’t actually seen a lot of the play because of the time difference. But a win over a resurgent NK is a real accomplishment.so I hope he goes through.
I don’t want to sound dismissive, but much as I like Ruud I think he has had a lot of good fortune with 2 GS draws this year and he shouldn’t be #1.
It takes too long to sign on here!!
Ruud to win the final @ 2.80 looks like good value to me.
No one is going to beat Ruud in this kind of form.
Wow, all I’m gonna say is that Rudd is coming from good stalk………Rafa Nadal academy! That’s must count for something!! 😜
Anyways, I’m watching the match on the big screen outside Arthur Ash and I don’t c too much excitement over this much. U can feel the anticipation however about the Taifoe and Alcaraz match!!! Hope it lives up to its billing!!
Sorry, stock* 🙈
It takes time to log on and to post!!! And I can’t seem to access the latest reviews, I go to the recent comments and that’s how I am able to navigate the thread. I’m not yet used to this new site 🤪 suppose it’s a work in process!
I doubt Świątek will lose either. @ 1.60 bookmakers are giving money away.
Actually that’s a tough match
I like all four semifinalists,but would like Foe to win the whole thing.
The crowd is really cheering for Tiafoe. It’s been quite the battle. This was the one everyone wanted to see.
I am surprised that Ruud has been getting through so easily. Khachanov did the hard work talking out PCB and Kyrgios. I thought Khachanov had a shot.
I can’t see Ruud being no.1
This has been a great popcorn match so far! Didn’t know Foe had it in him. Carlitos does seem a little bit tired but he’s hanging in!
Alcaraz seems to be the fitter of the two! Unbelievably fit boy, the five years age gap does matter it seems. Tiafoe looks tired in this third set, if he loses this set he is not going to win the match.
If Alcaraz gets through this match, at least we are guaranteed a slam winner as the new world number one!
Alcaraz just too strong from the back of the court. He’s the favourite for the title. Rudd has a chance if he plays like he did in the first 2 sets against Khachabov.
Well, I’ve been cheering for Carlitos, on the theory that, as Rafa would say, he’s the Spaniard, no? But at this point – start of the 5th – I’m just for SOMEONE finishing it off!
Can’t believe this went to a fifth! Carlos was in the drivers seat in the fourth!!! Carlos has been living in the knife edge……..it may catch up with him Jn the final. Three five setters with match points against him?!!! The law of averages has no favorites. He may not get away with that with Rudd!
While watching Tiafoe and Alcaraz battling it out, I couldn’t help but think about the big three in their heydays, or even the big four in their early to mid twenties.
What if it’s the younger Fed facing Alcaraz, I think Fed would beat Alcaraz because Fed would rush the net so often taking time away from Alcaraz. Alcaraz would feel so rushed and would then make more errors than usual. Fed’s serve is top class and that helps him greatly, as the new breed of players aren’t that good at ROS!
What if it’s Djoko; I’ve to say I do admire Djoko’s game and only he could play it that well (those who copied his game style couldn’t have as much success). Djoko is so well balanced at both wings and he’s able to change directions of his shots so well from both wings! Unlike Fed, Djoko won’t rush the net so often, but he does win because of his court positioning, ie his court positioning at the middle of the baseline, and he moves inside the court as and when he has created the chances to do so. His positioning at the middle of the baseline has allowed him to cover his court so well at both wings!
For Rafa, it’s his speed and power from the baseline, plus his problem solving abilities. He’s also able to move to the net as and when he feels it’s the right moment to do so, and when he’s there, he wins most of the points. Rafa’s ROS is great too, imo just behind Djoko’s and on par with Murray’s.
As for Murray, his ability to vary the pace of his shots would do well against Alcaraz’s power hitting, sometimes throwing in off pace balls that would catch Alcaraz by surprise.
Of course Alcaraz is only 19 years old so his game has not fully developed yet. If he wins this USO, he will be the first player born in the 2000s to win a slam.
Dumbass Ricky strikes again. Tiafoe had no chance.
R three 5 setters in a row going to kill Alcaraz’s chances in the final?
He is way more talented than Ruud. But u have to wonder if fatigue will overwhelm him at some point.
Or even injury. God forbid.
If you do that again, I’ll stop posting in here permanently.
It’s no joke, so you better have a good think about.
That’s your LAST WARNING.
I don’t know what the post above was all about. We don’t make threats or issue warnings on this site.
What infuriated me last night was when JMac and Chris Fowler were running out of superlatives about Alcaraz. He hasn’t done anything at RG or Wimbledon. So the hype started dying down. Now last night I had to hear these two moronic idiots say that Alcaraz has everything, that he is better than Rafa was at his age! What? He has a better serve than Rafa. Rafa’s serve was too slow! Are they kidding with this? Or just out of their freaking minds?
Lucky said above that Alcaraz will improve his game. Right! Rafa was the only one to challenge Fed in his prime. Finally someone could beat him. Rafa changed tennis by being competitive. There was a real rivalry.
These overpaid egotistical commies are truly an embarrassment. Nobody has everything at 19. There is always room to grow and develop. Experience and maturity count for something. They need to STFU about Rafa and keave him out of it if they must indulge in wretched excess.
Alcaraz has gone through five set matches, so it’s not like he has been blowing away the other players. I think Sinner had the best chance to beat him. He had match point. He is not going anywhere. There are talented young guys who have stepped up and played well. Hopefully this means we will see competitive quality matches.
Nny, I didn’t see the match. I have Amazon Prime with Courier and Henman anyway and both of them are very respectful in their comparisons. It’s pretty clear Courier is a big admirer of Rafa as he described his fh as the greatest of all time, period, not just on a clay court. I doubt very much he and Henman would ever say anything so silly.
Also Rafa had to beat Fed to win his first slam. Who has Alcaraz got? Sinner who had a match point. Big Foe who has no experience in big tournaments and Ruud who has only ever win 250 tournaments. No comparison!
I don’t listen to JMac at all now. Also, someone of his age shouldn’t wear tight white jeans!😀 Everyone who knows tennis complains about the nonsense J Mac talks.
amy,
Great comments! Love it! Thanks for your good sense!
Courier is very good. He is on the tennis channel. I missed his commentary during the USO. I wish they would just dial down the hype.
I don’t see Alcaraz blowing everyone off the court. He needed five sets to beat Cilic, who is not in his prime anymore. He did not have to face Fed, Novak or Rafa. This is why I am having trouble warming up to Alcaraz. I can’t see either Alcaraz or Ruud as no.1.
Loved the tight white jeans comment! JMac is an egotistical jerk with a big mouth.
Nny, thought it would make you laugh! He is a bit if an overgrown adolescent really with all his rock star posing.
Independent journos are always complaining about him and saying he doesn’t know basic facts.
I think Courier is very good. U always learn a lot when he comments. He is very admiring of Rafa but never puts others down. I can’t tell who his fave is though I suspect it’s Fed.
PS it’s not just that this tournament is without Novak and a fit Rafa. There is also no Zverev and NK took out Med and then failed. Med would have been in the final otherwise.
I respect McEnroes talent and anyone who can achieve what he did has the right to, commentate, but that said, he’s just a comedian really.
He really lacks objectivity eg his dislike/ jealousy of Federer who was even more naturally talented is obvious .
As for Alcaraz, what an amazing talent but Im not sure if I will like him .Right now I prefer Sinner .
Anonymous was me there
Agree with u bout Alcaraz Big Al!…i am very very impressed with his huge talent, his tennis skills & ability very much…but…i…don’t really like his kinda cocky manner on court esp when he win big points…but yeah!..he’s fun to watch!
Hi Mira! Nice to see you back! 😀
Agree with what u say about Alcaraz. But honestly there are times I wish Rafa was more conceited. His humility makes him lovable but his capacity for self doubt is infuriating at times!!
Oh and I agree with Al about much preferring Jannik who is a super nice guy.
As for JMac yes he is a borderline comedian!
PS. And really honestly who wears white jeans in their 60s! Don’t mean to be ageist but come on!
Maybe at home but not on tv!
I like Jannik. The more I see him, the more I like his game. He should have beaten Alcaraz. Hopefully he got some experience and will close out matches when he has the chance going forward.
What bothered me was when Alcaraz was I stalked as one of the favorites for RG. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Of course he wasn’t going to win. I remember Ricky picking Novak to beat Rafa in the quarterfinals and Alcaraz to beat Novak in the semis. No way! We all know what happened. Then the hype died down. Now it’s in full force again. Having to listen to JMac and Chris Fowler on ESPN saying that Alcaraz has it all right now, as opposed to Rafa at 19 who did not have a good serve was such nonsense. I would not even know what to say about such stupidity. Rafa was a teenage phenom. He won RG for the first time at 19. He beat Fed the next year at RG. Nobody could challenge Fed until Rafa. His great win in 2008 at Wimbledon after beating him at RG and after he beat Fed again at RG in 2007. Who has Alcaraz beaten in slams?
There are new guys now who are showing a lot of promise. It’s not like Alcaraz is going to dominate. The media goes way over the top all too often. Does JMac realize that he is comparing Alcaraz to someone who has won 22 slams and 14 RG titles? Along with all his records? I mean please stop the insanity!
JMac has become a joke! Along with his choice of pants! 😨
Sorry, autocorrect. When Alcaraz was picked as one of the favorites for RG*.
I have to watch with the sound off; otherwise, the hype around Alcaraz makes me sick.
But I see Carlos has already taken the lead by a break. And it’s okay; I admit Carlos has the most charisma and foot speed, and I’ll say Ruud has to find a way to handle the severe direction change of the ball that Carlos creates. The kid is fantastic; I have to admit!
BTW, getting on TG has improved.
Hey hey hey amy!…hey hey hey to Nny too!…nice to ‘see’ u guys back!..😀👋
And hey hey hey to RC too!😀👋
Mira Andi,
Hey girl! You’re here! So glad to see you posting again! Missed you!
The site crashed and for a week it was almost impossible to get on. Now don’t be modest! Are you still winning the bracket challenges? 😀
You are my ray of sunshine! Made my day!
😍
Hey folks!! I only just started watching match, both guys r acquiring themselves well!! Very competitive match so far! May the best man win!!
Ah Rudd is making a ham of those set points!! That’s not good news for him!
Hey hey hey Nny!..hehe..missed u too Nny!…let’s hug!!😀
Yeah!…i can c tenngrander’s complained bout the new site but for me it’s a blessing Nny!..i can’t post my comments for months on old site..but just take a few 2nd yesterday to post on a new one!!….YEEEHAAAA for that!!
Ohh…bout tennis bracket…the last time i kicked everyone’s a$$ was in Roland Garros Nny!…i picked our Rafa that time!…since then,they’re all kick mine!😆
Btw….how r u over there milady??Hope everythings is ok with u?😘
Mira Andi,
I had some health problems back in April when I was in the hospital. But I am doing very well now.
So you picked Rafa to win RG! Good choice!
Elizabeth said she was having trouble getting on the site. I hope the kinks have been worked out now. She is still a great advocate for the women’s game. I watched a lot of women’s matches and loved what I saw! I was hoping that Jabeur would win. Maybe next time.
You need to come around more often!
❤️
Good to hear u’re ok now Nny!..Be strong for Rafa ok?He needs u!!
I love Ons & Iga too!…both manner & tennis styles!…they both r awesome champions!…can’t wait to c them both at AO next year!
Alcaraz still has a long way to go before he could dominate (and I think he will dominate in the future but not in the near future though).
He struggled to beat his opponents in this USO, and there’s no Djoko and Rafa was subpar. He need not beat Meddy or Tsitsipas along the way as they underperformed too.
Having said all these, it’s his destiny that he would win here and became number one. I felt happy for Ferrero as his coach, just like I was happy for Massu when Thiem won his USO in 2020. The only regret for Thiem was that he couldn’t reach number one in the world back then.
PS. As a coach, what’s more satisfying than to see your charge winning a slam under your tutelage?
I think the changing of the guard is now in full swing. At the rate Alcaraz improved this year, he will be favorite to win the AO because his consistency is improving and as other’s have stated, he’s winning regardless of the circumstances.
So, as long as he takes care himself and realises he’s not invincible, he will be the one to beat going forward.
The behind the back shot he did moving in the opposite direction was the best shot of the tournament, bar none.