At the US Open in New York, there is a showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud in the final. IT'S not just about the title, it's also about the top of the world rankings. The protagonists expect a battle of nerves. The Spaniard Alcaraz can also achieve another record.
The showdown is perfect and the tension factor is maximum: Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud duel in a next-generation Grand Slam final not only for their first major title. It's also about number one in the world rankings on Sunday evening (10 p.m. / Eurosport and in the live ticker on ntv.de) - there is a lot at stake for both climbers.
"I have to keep my nerves under control," said Alcaraz, who could be the first teenager since Pete Sampras to storm to the title in New York in 1990: "It's wonderful to play for such big things. I can already see the number one in the world , at the same time she is still so far away." Ruud also expects "nerves to play a role and we will both feel them."
Alcaraz, the 19-year-old from the Murcia region, had survived the next thriller unscathed shortly before his first assessments. With his incredible physique, he defeated crowd favorite Frances Tiafoe 6: 7 (6: 8), 6: 3, 6: 1, 6: 7 (5: 7), 6: 3 in 4:18 hours. The American then paid homage to the exceptional talent. "You will win many Grand Slam titles," said the 24-year-old. Alcaraz would very much like to start with this this weekend.
Ruud could slip into the role of the slight outsider, but that hardly does his performances on the hard court justice. The man from Oslo, who was in the final of the French Open in June, took his game to a new level and also shone in the 7: 6 (7: 5), 6: 2, 5: 7, 6: 2 success great sovereignty against the Russian Karen Khachanov.
He confirmed that reaching the final in Paris was no coincidence and that he is also capable of great things on other surfaces. The professional, who also trains in Rafael Nadal's academy on Mallorca, has arrived at the top of the world and is being noticed more and more in his home country. However, he has not yet come close to the status of footballer Erling Haaland.
"He's the biggest star we have in Norway at the moment. He'll probably be for many years to come," said Ruud, whose down-to-earth nature was also reflected in his hopes of a final against Alcaraz. "I think the fairest thing would be if we both reach the final and whoever wins it becomes number one in the world," he said before the Spaniard's victory. And that's exactly what happened. For just one of them, two dreams come true in one fell swoop on Sunday.
