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.