Khatjanov stunned and beat Nick Kyrgios 3-2 in sets after 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (3-7), xx in the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam tournament in New York on the evening of Wednesday Norway time.
In Tuesday’s opening match, Ruud impressed in the quarter-finals as he beat Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in straight sets at the Arthur Ashe arena.
– It was the best match in the tournament for me. The first two sets were almost flawless, and in the third I managed to turn things around, Ruud told NTB after he reclaimed Berrettini’s lead and won in the tiebreak.
Ruud was playing the first of eight in the quarter-finals and thus got extra rest before meeting Khatjanov.
– I get more rest than the opponent, I’m glad I can play early. Now I will use Wednesday to practice, Ruud told NTB.
Aside from the final spot for Ruud at the US Open, the possibility of ending the tournament at the top of the world rankings lurks. That happens if he reaches the final and his opponent is not Carlos Alcaraz of Spain.
– It is getting closer and closer and will probably be a little more in the back of your mind now. But first I want to get a good result, said Ruud to NTB after the victory over Berrettini.
Ruud is currently ranked seventh in the world, while Khatjanov is ranked 31st. Coincidentally, Ruud lost to the Russian when they met at the ATP 1000 tournament in Rome in 2020.
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