Casper Ruud did well against Russia’s Karen Khatsjanov and secured a final spot at the US Open on Friday night.

Ruud played with a lot of confidence and some people also noticed how calm the 23-year-old Norwegian was throughout the game.

However, after the match, Ruud could admit that he wasn’t always so calm on the inside, but he preferred not to show any emotion towards his opponent.

– There is drama in sports and tennis in particular. “It’s a mental and psychological game that even small details can decide a game,” Ruud said at his post-match press conference.

He then exemplified from the semifinal win.

– After the first set, both may be very tired and out of breath. At least I felt my knees and legs shaking, but I didn’t want to show him. “I don’t want him to think that it’s exhausting for Casper,” said Ruud and continued:

– When we came out for the second set, I still felt the pulse after the set, but I didn’t want to show it to him.

Ruud also used the same strategy when he was angry himself.

– I know that some people show more emotion when things are not going well than others, but I try to stay calm. Even if I boil with frustration, I don’t want to show it to my opponent because I think it gives him a slight advantage.

Rack

After the match, Ruud was of course praised on social media.

– Another fantastic show by Casper Ruud. Congratulations on last place at the US Open, thinking of almost being the world’s best in tennis, historically, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre wrote on Twitter.

He is far from the only one who uses superlatives to describe Ruud’s accomplishments.

– It’s amazing. To see a Norwegian reach her second Grand Slam final of the year. What a great time to be alive, wrote former footballer Jan Aage Fjørtoft.

– What a year for Casper Ruud. He was a finalist at the US Open and followed up on last place at the French Open, USA Today journalist Dan Wolken wrote on Twitter.

Could be historic

Victory in the US Open semifinals means that the winner of Sunday’s final will become world number one when the ATP rankings are updated next week.

Shooting star Carlos Alcaraz awaits in the final, who is the youngest finalist since Pete Sapras in 1990.

– He (Casper Ruud) deserves to be in the final. “He’s already played a Grand Slam final (Roland-Garros this summer), this will be a first for me,” Alcaraz told ESPN.

Ruud also allowed himself to be impressed by his upcoming opponent.

– Carlos had a really extreme year, and he’s been taking new steps over the years. He is a very brave and aggressive player, Ruud told NTB.

PS: Finals will be played at 9:30pm on Sunday nights and will be showing on Discovery+ and MAX.