Karen Khachanov vs Casper Ruud US Open 2022 SF Preview and Prediction

Casper Ruud can attain an unlikely second slam last of the yr on Friday if he can see off a really beatable opponent in Karen Khachanov. The Norwegian is one in every of three doable No. 1 gamers left on the finish of this match together with Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal. The latter will likely be if each Ruud and Alcaraz lose within the semi-finals in any other case the participant who performs higher of the 2 will take the spot.

Khachanov’s look at this stage of the match has come as one thing of a shock with the Russian usually failing to stay as much as the promise confirmed in his early stand up the rankings. Nonetheless, he has proven numerous spirit to eke out powerful 5 set wins in his previous two matches in opposition to Pablo Carreno Busta and now Nick Kyrgios. He served 30 aces in victory over the latter, serving to him see off the participant individuals noticed as favorite on the quarter last stage. “I stayed there. I waited for my probabilities. I created them as effectively. I’m tremendous pleased, tremendous proud that I may end the match, I may take it. Serving for the match [is] by no means simple. [I am] simply tremendous pleased to do that step ahead to make my first semi-final.” he mentioned.

Ruud has been enhancing on this floor however his look this far into the match nonetheless comes as a little bit of a shock. The way of his victory in opposition to Matteo Berrettini was much more so, with him dropping serve simply twice in a 6-1 6-4 7-6 win. “I’m truthfully a bit stunned that I made it to the semi-finals right here,” Ruud mentioned following his victory. “However I believe I’ve developed my hard-court recreation so much the previous yr or two, and I believe Miami this yr confirmed me and I proved to myself that I can beat good gamers and attain later levels in massive hard-court tournaments. That has been a type of confidence booster for myself.”

Khachanov might be the higher participant on sooner onerous courts however at this stage of the match, how effectively the pair take care of nerves goes to be simply as necessary. Ruud has already made it to 1 slam last whereas the Russian’s massive match expertise is centred round Masters 1000 occasions. Ruud goes to be a way more targeted and measured opponent so it’ll be a troublesome ask for Khachanov to keep up his excessive degree from the baseline throughout the 5 units which may be wanted.

Prediction – Casper Ruud in 4 units