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
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!