Alcaraz vs Ruud HIGHLIGHTS, 2022 US Open Final: Alcaraz beats Ruud to win maiden Grand Slam title, becomes World No. 1
Ruud vs Alcaraz, US Open 2022 Final: Catch the highlights of the 2022 US Open men’s singles final between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Casper Ruud of Norway.
Updated : Sep 12, 2022 05:45 IST
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz (left) takes on Norway’s Casper Ruud (right) in the 2022 US Open men’s singles final.
Thank you for tuning into Sportstar’s live coverage of the 2022 US Open men’s singles final between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Casper Ruud of Norway. This was Nihit Sachdeva taking you through the action as it unfolded at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
| CARLOS ALCARAZ | 6 | 2 | 7 | 6 |
| CASPER RUUD | 4 | 6 | 6 (1) | 3 |
That’s it for this year’s Grand Slam tennis. However, do join us for our coverage of the Davis Cup and the year-end ATP/WTA Finals. Till then, take care and stay safe!
ICYMI, here are all the singles champions of the four Majors in 2022
| Australian Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open | |
| Men's Singles | Rafael Nadal | Rafael Nadal | Novak Djokovic | Carlos Alcaraz |
| Women's Singles | Ash Barty | Iga Swiatek | Elena Rybakina | Iga Swiatek |
Before I leave you, here’s a list of the records Alcaraz set with his victory today
- Youngest and first teenage World No. 1 in the history of ATP Rankings
- Fourth Spanish World No. 1 in ATP Rankings history, joining Ferrero, Moya and Nadal
- First man to save match point en route to Grand Slam title since Djokovic at 2019 Wimbledon and first man to save match point en route to US Open title since Wawrinka in 2016
- First post-US Open change at No. 1 since 2003, when his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero rose to No. 1
- Youngest Major champion since Nadal in 2005 French Open
- Youngest US Open champion since Pete Sampras (19 years 28 days) in 1990
- First man to win US Open in first/second appearance since 1948
And now, the 2022 US Open men’s singles champion - Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard receives the winner’s trophy from four-time US Open champion John McEnroe.
First up, Casper Ruud receives the runner-up trophy. Ruud has had a fantastic season, reaching two Grand Slam finals and will reach a career-high of world number two in the latest ATP Rankings on Monday.
Carlos Alcaraz, who came into the limelight last year with a famous third-round win over Stefanos Tsitsipas, has won the entire thing one year later. A story for the ages. Presentation ceremony shortly.
Is this the changing of the guard moment for men’s tennis?
FOURTH SET (*denotes server)
Alcaraz serving for the championship. Starts with an ace down the T. Alcaraz keeps pushing Ruud to one corner before rushing to the net and finishing the point with a forehand volley winner. Alcaraz messes up the simplest of the overhead smashes. An ace down the T. Two championship points. Wastes first as he overhits the forehand. Wide and unreturnable serve from Alcaraz to seal the deal. Alcaraz drops his racquet, falls on his back and is in tears. CARLOS ALCARAZ IS THE 2022 US OPEN CHAMPION AND THE YOUNGEST WORLD NUMBER ONE IN THE HISTORY OF THE ATP RANKINGS!!!!
Ruud to serve to stay in the match. And he does it without any problems. Love hold.
An important ace down the T at 15-30 for Alcaraz. Follows it up with another to earn a game point. A forehand down the line to clos e the game. Alcaraz one game away from the title
A backhand down the line winner from Alcaraz to go 15-0 up on Ruud’s serve. A cross-court backhand winner at 15-all for the teenager. He is making the move right now. An unforced error on the forehand from Alcaraz - 30-all. Ruud for the wide serve and forehand down the line combo but Alcaraz saves it with a lob and Ruud hits the overhead wide. Break point for Alcaraz and he converts it as Ruud hits the backhand long.
An ace down the T to begin the service game for Alcaraz. Follows it up with another ace down the T. And another. A double fault after three consecutive aces. A short rally and Ruud hits forehand long. Still on serve in this set.
The deadliest of the drop volleys from Ruud to go 15-0 up. Powerful backhand down the line and Alcaraz is unable to send the ball back across the net. An ace down the T. Ruud holds serve as the match touches the three-hour mark.
A 94mph serve down the T, Ruud stands deep and the return hits the net. Alcaraz hits a simple forehand down the line long - 30-15. Wide serve followed by a forehand down the line. Two game points for Alcaraz. An ace down the T seals the game.
Ruud holds serve after Alcaraz hits the backhand return into the net at 40-15.
Ruud has come out firing in the fourth set. Up 30-0 in no time. Serve-and-volley to the rescue once again for Alcaraz as he makes it 30-all. Longest rally of the match - 21 shots - and Alcaraz draws out the error from Ruud. A forehand return from Alcaraz lands right on the baseline and Ruud has simply no chance to return that.
THIRD SET (*denotes server)
Ruud begins with an ace. A long-ish rally at the end of which Ruud mishits a backhand - 1-all. Wide serve from Alcaraz and Ruud’s forehand only finds the net. Inside-out forehand return from Alcaraz on Ruud’s second serve and the Norwegian makes the error on the backhand. Alcaraz extends his lead as he draws out the error on the forehand from Ruud to go up 4-1. Alcaraz hits a forehand down the line winner to go 5-1 up at the change of ends. Wide serve from Alcaraz and Ruud hits the forehand into the net. Five set points for the teenager. He only needs one as Ruud hits a forehand wide. Alcaraz one set away from history.
Alcaraz serving to stay in the set. A strong first serve down the T and Ruud is unable to return. A mishit forehand from Alcaraz - 15-all. Alcaraz’s serve falls perfectly on the Ruud backhand and the Spaniard sends the forehand wide. Set point for Ruud as he hits a forehand down the line. Ruud goes for the backhand pass but Alcaraz hits the angled forehand volley nicely. Heavy forehand return from Ruud and it is now a game point for Alcaraz. A thunderous running forehand down the line from Ruud and it is deuce again. More pressure on the teenager. Wide serve, backhand down the middle and a backhand volley - advantage Alcaraz. Alcaraz overcooks the inside-out forehand and it is #3 deuce. A timely cross-court forehand winner from Ruud on the wide serve by Alcaraz. Serve and volley from Alcaraz - Ruud lobs it but Alcaraz finishes the point with an overhand smash - #4 deuce. Game point for Alcaraz as an out of position Ruud hits the forehand wide. Alcaraz goes for the serve and volley again but Ruud’s return dips quickly. So, the Spaniard’s half-volley does not rise up enough - #5 Deuce. Nerves of steel from Alcaraz to save those set points and take this to tiebreak.
A love hold at this stage for Ruud. Just perfect.
Excellent deep return from Ruud on Alcaraz’ first serve. The Spaniard clearly didn’t expect that and so, was not ready for it. A sliced serve from Alcaraz followed by a cross-court forehand winner. Down the line forehand winner from Alcaraz to go up 30-15. Slow second serve from Alcaraz but Ruud sends the cross-court backhand long. Two game points for Alcaraz. Ruud comes up with a solid forehand return on the Alcaraz serve. However, the Spaniard does well to get the ball back in with his stretched backhand. Ruud was ready for the down the line forehand but unfortunately, the ball hit the top of the tape and went out.
Two big first serves from Ruud and on both occasions, Alcaraz is unable to get the return to land in. Well, well. From 0-30 down, Alcaraz makes it 30-all as he switches from the backhand to the inside-out forehand mid-rally and Ruud’s backhand proves to be heavy. A standing ovation from the spectators after a crazy rally where Alcaraz kept returning Ruud’s inside-out forehand shots but eventually, a cross-court volley from the Norwegian proved too much for him as he fell flat on his face while trying to send the return. Another failed drop shot from Alcaraz after doing well to take the game to deuce. A decent first serve from Ruud and Alcaraz does not get the right connection for the forehand return.
Ruud has an opportunity as Alcaraz hits a cross-court backhand wide at 15-15. An inside-out forehand to make it 30-all for the Spaniard who looks a bit out of energy. Big first serve does the damage and it is a game point for Alcaraz. Ruud’s backhand return lands into the net.
A double fault at 40-0 for Ruud. Wide serve followed by forehand down the middle. Ruud holds.
Alcaraz does the serve-and-volley to win the opening point. Inside-out forehand sets up the point and Alcaraz finishes it with one down the line - 30-0. An overhead smash gives Alcaraz three game points. Converts the second one as Ruud hits the backhand long.
A body serve at 15-all from Ruud, the forehand again at Alcaraz who somehow manages to hit the ball back before Ruud finishes the point with a forehand volley. A forehand down the line winner for Ruud and he has two game points. The momentum is with him. Ruud wins yet another point on second serve courtesy of a heavy forehand from Alcaraz.
Loose game from Alcaraz and Ruud has two break points at 40-15. Serve and volley saves one for Alcaraz. Backhand into the net from Alcaraz and Ruud breaks back.
Alcaraz goes for the drop shot at 15-all but does not execute it as the ball lands into the net. Serve and volley from Ruud but Alcaraz hits a brilliant lob - 30-all. More trouble for Ruud as another break point opportunity comes up for Alcaraz. Wide serve followed by an inside-out forehand winner from Ruud - deuce. Alcaraz anticipates the down the line forehands from Ruud but the angle for the forehand pass is too tight for the Spaniard. He still goes for it and sends it wide. Ruud holds.
Alcaraz up 40-0. A drop shot from Ruud, Alcaraz gets to it, Ruud sends the lob but this time Alcaraz decides to surprise with a quick forehand with his back against the Norwegian. However Ruud is ready and hits the volley perfectly. Alcaraz consolidates the break.
Ruud to serve first in the third set. Trouble early on for the Norwegian as two unforced errors see him 0-30 down. Make that three as he hits the cross-court backhand wide. Deep cross-court forehand return from Ruud and a rushing Alcaraz is unable to time the half-volley. Two more break points for Alcaraz. The Spaniard seemed to have sealed the point but Ruud’s cross-court backhand return dipped viciously making it tough for Alcaraz to control the volley. A perfect drop shot from Alcaraz eventually does the damage ad Ruud gets to it but does not manage to send the ball above the net. Early break in third set for Alcaraz.
SECOND SET (*denotes server)
Alcaraz serving to stay in the set. A mistime drop shot from Alcaraz and Ruud hits a simple cross-court backhand winner - 15-all. Body serve from Alcaraz and Ruud’s backhand return goes long. A double fault from Alcaraz and it is 30-all. Faulty backhand from Ruud - the ball goes flying off the court. Game point for the Spaniard. Backhand down the line from Alcaraz goes wide - deuce. Heavy backhand from way behind the baseline from Alcaraz and it is a set point for Ruud. Second serve from Alcaraz down the T but Ruud’s forehand return is into the net - deuce again. Another double fault from the Spaniard and it is another set point for Ruud. Alcaraz goes for the drop shot, does not execute it well, Ruud hits the backhand crosscourt, gets the lob from the Spaniard and hits an overhead smash to win the second set 6-2 and level things up.
Alcaraz gets the return in on the wide serve by Ruud and the Norwegian hits the forehand into the net - Alcaraz leads 30-15 and within a chance to break backh immediately. Alcaraz’ backhand return hits the top of the tape and lands on the opposite side but Ruud does well to stay in the rally and eventually hits an overhead no-look pass. Ruud saves the break point with a 127mph first serve out wide in the ad court. Again, Alcaraz hits the backhand into the net on the second serve of Ruud - advantage to the fifth seed. Backhand lob from Alcaraz lands just inside the baseline but Ruud hits a crushing overhead smash to close the game.
Some emotion from Ruud as he wins a hard-fought point - lob, followed by a backhand cross-court and ending it with a forehand volley. Serve and volley from Alcaraz but he does not execute the second part properly - 30-all. Ruud reads the drop shot and hits a powerful cross-court backhand. Alcaraz’s backhand retrieve hits the net. Break point opportunity for Ruud. Drop shot from Alcaraz, Ruud manages to get the lob’s projectory perfect and Alcaraz hits the forehand pass long. Ruud gets the break.
Alcaraz hits the drop shot wide by the barest of the margins - Ruud up 30-15. Wide serve from Ruud followed by a backhand down the line winner. Same tactic applied again but this time Alcaraz hits a stunning cross-court backhand pass. Pressure on Ruud as Alcaraz draws out a wide forehand from the Norwegian - deuce. A couple of cross-court forehand returns before finishing the point with a backhand down the line - Advantage Alcaraz. Not anymore as Ruud puts in a great first serve down the T. Ruud holds. Still on serve in this second set.
Inside-out forehand from Alcaraz goes long. Better first serve from Alcaraz and Ruud sends the return into the net. Three points on the trot to hold serve for the Spaniard.
Ruud replies with a love hold of his own. Solid start to the second set for both players.
An ace via a sliced serve from Alcaraz. Wide serve next up followed by a forehand volley. Backhand return from Ruud lands into the net and Alcaraz is up 40-0. An ace down the T. One of the most perfect games so far in this match for the teenager from Spain.
Ruud to serve first. Wide serve followed by a forehand down the line winner for the Norwegian - 15-all. Alcaraz attacks the second serve but hits the backhand, yet again, into the net. Strong inside-out forehand from Alcaraz and Ruud’s backhand return goes long - 30-all. Sliced serve from Ruud followed by a forehand down the line as Alcaraz anticipates the other way round. Ruud holds.
FIRST SET (*denotes server)
Alcaraz to serve for the set. Serve and volley to begin the game and it works. Serve and a half-volley from Alcaraz followed by a backhand pass from Ruud which lands just wide. Unreturnable first serve from Alcaraz. Three set points. He needs only one as Ruud hits the backhand return into the net. Alcaraz takes the first set 6-4.
Wide serve from Ruud, Alcaraz gets the return in and decides to go to the other end but Ruud simply hits the forehand down the line. Backhand into the net from the Spaniard on Ruud’s first serve. Backhand slice from Ruud has too many revs on the ball and it lands beyond the baseline. Heavy backhand pass from Alcaraz. Ruud holds.
Alcaraz argues the ball bounced twice after he hit the volley but the replay showed correctly that Ruud did manage to get his racquet underneath the ball in time for the lob. Alcaraz ended up hitting the forehand into the net. A backhand error from Alcaraz and Ruud is up 30-15. Body serve from Alcaraz and Ruud gets out of the way - ace and it is 30-all. Alcaraz hits a cross-court backhand and follows it up with a delicate cross-court volley to go 40-30 up. Backhand down the line winner from Alcaraz. Serve held .
Alcaraz attacks the second serve of the Norwegian but the backhand is a little too heavy. Alcaraz takes the ball early but hits the backhand cross-court long - Ruud 30-0 up. Wide second serve from Ruud and Alcaraz hits the forehand cross-court wide. Three game points for the fifth seed. Backhand return from Alcaraz at Ruud’s body and the Norwegian tries the tweener but fails miserably as the ball sails off the court. However, no harm down as Ruud wins the next point and holds serve. Still, Alcaraz up by a break.
Ruud seemed to have the early edge in the rally but it is Alcaraz who wins the point with a backhand volley. Alcaraz goes for the forehand down the line but hits it wide - 15-all. Inside-out forehand followed by a forehand volley down the line - Alcaraz 30-15 up. Running cross-court forehand from Ruud goes long - two game points for the Spaniard. Loopy returns from Ruud drawing out errors from Alcaraz - cross-court backhand into the net. Ace down the T and Alcaraz holds.
Ruud struggling with his first serve but doing well to win points on second serve courtesy of a much improved backhand. Unforced error on the forehand from the Spaniard. Love hold for Ruud.
Serve and volley from Alcaraz done right - 15-0. Unforced error on the forehand from Ruud as he sends one beyond the baseline. Outrageous exchange - Ruud hits a backhand cross-court, Alcaraz with the most stunning half-volley cross-court but Ruud reaches in time to send the backhand down the line and finish the point with a forehand volley into the open court. Unsuccessful drop shot from Alcaraz. Ruud upping the pressure on Alcaraz and from 0-30 down, is now 40-30 up. Break point opportunity. Alcaraz tries the drop shot again, Ruud gets to it but Alcaraz simply sends a forehand down the line winner. A 96mph second serve from Alcaraz but Ruud still stand way beyond the baseline and eventually, his forehand return only hits the top of the net. A forehand winner down the middle to hold serve and consolidate the break.
Alcaraz’ backhand return mid-rally hits the top of the net and Ruud is unable to adjust the volley at the last moment. Ruud sends the volley long on the net point and goes 0-30 down. Cross-court forehand volley into the open court gives him three break points. Alcaraz wastes the first one as he overcooks the inside-out forehand. Wide serve from Ruud, Alcaraz sends the forehand return right back at his feet at the centre and the Norwegian sends the forehand return wide. Early break for Alcaraz.
First service game for Alcaraz. A gorgeous backhand down the line pass from Ruud lands bang on the baseline - 15-all. Serve and volley tried from Alcaraz but he sends the volley into the net. A 90mph second serve from Alcaraz, Ruud hits the backhand down the line winner with his feet in the air. Wide serve from Alcaraz and Ruud’s forehand return is into the net. Body serve from Alcaraz and Ruud sends another return into the net - deuce. Alcaraz goes wide with the serve and it is an ace - first for the final. One-two combo from Alcaraz - wide serve followed by a forehand down the line. Alcaraz holds.
Ruud to serve first in this historic final. Wide and unreturnable serve from the Norwegian to begin the proceedings. A 10-shot rally which ends with a backhand slice from the Spaniard landing wide. First point of the match for Alcaraz as Ruud overhits the backhand down the middle. Serve down the T, Alcaraz gets the forehand return in, Ruud sends the forehand down the middle long - 30-all. An 89mph second serve from Ruud, Alcaraz attacks with a backhand down the line and Ruud’s return lands wide. Break point for Alcaraz. Quick switch from the backhand to the forehand down the line from Ruud during the rally and Alcaraz sends the cross-court forehand long - deuce. A double fault from Ruud gives Alcaraz another break point. Ruud sends loopy returns from a good distance behind the baseline and Alcaraz, sticking to the baseline, hits the backhand into the net - #2 deuce. Excellent couple of volleys from Ruud eventually draw the error from Alcaraz - advantage Ruud. Ruud holds as Alcaraz hits the backhand return long.
1:47AM IST: Warm-up is done. Game time!!!
1:43AM IST: Carlos Alcaraz is absolutely pumped up to start this final. So much so that he began running towards the baseline even before the mandatory photographs of the two finalists were captures.
1:38AM IST: Here we go. The two finalists step onto the court. Casper Ruud, first up, followed by Carlos Alcaraz.
1:18AM IST: Less than 15 minutes to go for live action. Alcaraz vs Ruud is the youngest Grand Slam men’s singles final in more than 20 years, dating back to 21-year-old Lleyton Hewitt’s win over 20-year-old David Nalbandian for the 2002 Wimbledon championship.
1:05AM IST:What Ruud has said about Alcaraz before the final
“If I want to beat Carlos, I’ll need to play very precise with all the shots that I hit, especially try to keep him a little bit further back in the court. If he steps in, he can do anything with the ball. He can rip a winner. He also has great touch with the drop shot... he can do both shots back and forth. He will get you off guard sometimes with the drop shot.”
12:55AM IST:What Alcaraz has said about Ruud before the final
“I know him very well. We shared a lot of moments in the tournaments. Of course, he’s a very nice guy off the court. I talk with him a lot, when we can. I played him twice. I beat him twice. He’s playing really, really well. I know that. I will have to show my best.”
12:45AM IST:JUST IN - Czech duo of Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova beat the all-American pair of Caty McNally and Taylor Townsend 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 to win the women’s doubles title at the 2022 US Open. Krejcikova and Siniakova have completed the set - all four Slams, WTA Finals, Olympic Medallists and were 18-0 in Slams this year.
12:40AM IST:Records Ruud will set by winning the US Open (via ATP)
- World No. 7 Ruud will make the biggest jump to world number one
- First Norwegian Grand Slam singles champion
- First Norwegian World No. 1 in ATP Rankings history (since August 1973) and fourth Scandinavian World No. 1 after Borg, Edberg and Wilander of Sweden.
- Sixth Scandinavian Grand Slam men’s champion and third Scandinavian US Open men’s champion.
12:30AM IST:Records Alcaraz will set by winning the US Open (via ATP)
- Alcaraz, 19, will become youngest and first teenage World No. 1 in the history of ATP Rankings
- Would be fourth Spanish World No. 1 in ATP Rankings history, joining Ferrero, Moya and Nadal
- First man to save match point en route to Grand Slam title since Djokovic at 2019 Wimbledon and first man to save match point en route to US Open title since Wawrinka in 2016
- First post-US Open change at No. 1 since 2003, when his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero rose to No. 1
12:20AM IST:Head-to-head record
Alcaraz leads the head-to-head record 2-0. Their first meeting was on clay in Marbella in 2021 where the Spaniard won 6-2, 6-4 in the quarterfinal. Their second and the most recent match was this year’s Miami Masters final which Alcaraz won 7-5, 6-4.
12:10AM IST:Ruud’s run to the final
| ROUND | OPPONENT | RESULT | DURATION |
| ROUND OF 128 | KYLE EDMOND (GBR) | 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 | 2 HOURS 21 MINUTES |
| ROUND OF 64 | TIM VAN RIJTHOVEN (NED) | 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 | 2 HOURS 48 MINUTES |
| ROUND OF 32 | TOMMY PAUL (USA) | 7-6 (3), 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-0 | 4 HOURS 23 MINUTES |
| ROUND OF 16 | CORENTIN MOUTET (FRA) | 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-2 | 3 HOURS 20 MINUTES |
| QUARTERFINAL | MATTEO BERRETTINI (ITA) | 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (4) | 2 HOURS 36 MINUTES |
| SEMIFINAL | KAREN KHACHANOV (RUS) | 7-6 (5), 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 | 3 HOURS |
12AM IST: Alcaraz’ run to the final
| ROUND | OPPONENT | RESULT | DURATION |
| ROUND OF 128 | SEBASTIAN BAEZ (ARG) | 7-5, 7-5, 2-0, RETD. | 2 HOURS 30 MINUTES |
| ROUND OF 64 | FEDERICO CORIA (ARG) | 6-2, 6-1, 7-5 | 2 HOURS 10 MINUTES |
| ROUND OF 32 | JENSON BROOKSBY (USA) | 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 | 2 HOURS 11 MINUTES |
| ROUND OF 16 | MARIN CILIC (CRO) | 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 | 3 HOURS 54 MINUTES |
| QUARTERFINAL | JANNIK SINNER (ITA) | 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-7 (0), 7-5, 6-3 | 5 HOURS 15 MINUTES |
| SEMIFINAL | FRANCES TIAFOE (USA) | 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3 | 4 HOURS 19 MINUTES |
11:50PM IST: It’s the final day of Grand Slam tennis in 2022 and the stakes could not have been more higher. Alcaraz vs Ruud - a final, not only for a maiden Grand Slam title but also a battle to be the world number one. Live action begins at 1:30AM IST. Till then, stay tuned as I take you through the pre-match build-up.
MATCH PREVIEW ( via Reuters)
The stakes could not be higher in Sunday’s Flushing Meadows final between Spanish teenaged phenomenon Carlos Alcaraz and Norwegian Casper Ruud, with the US Open trophy and the world number one ranking awaiting the winner.
The showdown between the two breakout players of 2022 is a fitting conclusion to the year’s final major, which showcased the sport’s bright future as it transitions out of the era of the Big Three of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
French Open runner-up Ruud called the winner-takes-all conclusion an “ideal situation” after he beat Russian Karen Khachanov in four sets in Friday’s semi-final.
The superhuman Alcaraz, who survived three successive five-set marathons to arrive at the precipice of Grand Slam glory, said his vision was coming into focus.
“It’s close, but at the same time is so far away, you know?” Alcaraz told reporters after beating American Frances Tiafoe on Friday night.
“It’s a final of a Grand Slam, fighting for the number one in the world, something that I dreamed (of) since I was a kid.”
The 19-year-old Spaniard has beaten Ruud in both of their previous meetings, including a straight sets win in the Miami Open final in April.
“I know him very well,” Alcaraz said.
“We shared a lot of moments in the tournaments. Of course, he’s a very nice guy off the court. I talk with him a lot, when we can.
“I played him twice. I beat him twice. He’s playing really, really well. I know that. I will have to show my best.”
Ruud knows that he faces an uphill task in toppling the on-fire Alcaraz, who has won four titles this year, including Masters trophies in Miami and Madrid.
“If I want to beat Carlos, I’ll need to play very precise with all the shots that I hit, especially try to keep him a little bit further back in the court,” he said.
“If he steps in, he can do anything with the ball. He can rip a winner. He also has great touch with the drop shot... he can do both shots back and forth. He will get you off guard sometimes with the drop shot.”
With the eyes of the tennis world on them, the mental battle could be just as important as any tactical decisions, Ruud said.
“We’re playing for the tournament and also world number one. Of course, there will be nerves and we will both feel it,” he said.
“I hope it will be a good match. He has beaten me a couple times and I will seek my revenge.”
Live Streaming Info, when and where to watch?
The 2022 US Open men’s singles final between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Casper Ruud of Norway will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the Sony Liv App from 1:30AM IST on Monday, September 12.