Karen Khachanov

Casper Ruud beat Karen Khachanov 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 5-7 6-2 in the US Open semi-final to make his second grand slam final of the season.

With hard work, humility and a cool head, Ruud will continue to be in the frame. Consistency won out as Ruud took the tiebreak 7-5 with the longest rally of the tournament, refusing to miss and scampering around the court in defence. Khachanov served well throughout the set and the pressure grew until Ruud’s nerves finally betrayed him at 5-6 as he dumped a forehand into the net on set point. By reaching the final Ruud, the fifth seed, has put himself on the verge of achieving the two ultimate achievements in the sport at once. Despite the pressure of being the favourite in a grand slam semi-final Ruud remained steady through his early nerves and gradually ground down Karen Khachanov, the 27th seed, as he became the first Norwegian man to reach a US Open final, winning 7-6(5), 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. He had heard all of the criticisms of his abilities on the surface loud and clear, the way that people questioned and underestimated him, but he took them with a smile.