Aslak J. Paulsen, secretary general of the Norwegian Tennis Association, was overwhelmed by Casper Ruud’s progress to the US Open semifinals.

– Words are lacking, but it’s really unique. It’s almost like having to look from afar to really understand how big it is, Paulsen told NTB.

On Tuesday, Ruud, by his own admission, played one of his best matches of a Grand Slam tournament when he beat Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in straight sets.

– Really crazy

– After the quarter-finals, there are four men who will settle for winning the US Open, and two of them stand a chance to be ranked the best in the world. “Absolutely crazy,” Paulsen told NTB.

He watched Ruud’s feat from the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

– What do you think of Norway getting a Grand Slam winner and world number one?

– I was just put off by the question. In Norway, we have had many great sporting achievements over the years. You prefer not to equate things, but if you look at how many people follow tennis on a regular basis… That’s 1.2 billion followers. It just goes to show how big this sport is in the world.

– I think every country dreams of winning a Grand Slam champion, says Paulsen.

In the third set, Ruud was in trouble as Berrettini was leading 5-2 in the game, but the boy from Snarøya hit back very strongly and took the set to the tiebreak. There he won 7-4.

– He’s getting better and better. Where will this end? asked Eurosport commentator Svein Espen Olsen.

Ruud had a dream of opening in the first set. The Norwegian looked like the only one on the field, and ended up winning 6-1.

Those present at Arthur Ashe Arena were pushed aside by the Norwegian.

In the second set, he continued his good game, but in the middle of the set, tensions arose. At 5-1, he let Berrettini back into the game. The Italian made it 5-4 but Ruud eventually took the set.

– Not the first victim

The third set had to be decided by tiebreak after a wild strike by Ruud. Berrettini led 5-2, but the Snarøya boys fought back and took the set to the tiebreak.

There he became the strongest and eventually won 7-4.

– Everything went according to my wish

In his on-court victory interview, Casper Ruud is a man of great pride. He was asked about the great start in which he won 11 of the first 13 games.

– This is the best start I’ve ever had in an important match before. Everything went according to my wish. I hit everything I tried. I took my chances, he said.

He admitted that he was a little nervous towards the end of the second set.

Paying respects to your brother

– Everything went a little too well, almost. You can get the feeling that you can manage anything and walk on water. But you can’t.

Ruud managed to regain momentum.

After the match, he also paid tribute to his father Christian Ruud.

– He is a fantastic father and a fantastic coach. And he turned 50 last week, said Ruud to applause from thousands of spectators.

Ruud continued:

– He has pushed me the right way since I was a kid and made me love tennis, he bragged.

Commendable

Discovery expert commentator Mats Willander, the old Swedish great, was impressed:

– Everything he took in the beginning turned into gold, he said.

Tennis journalist Jose Morgando wrote the following on Twitter:

– One step closer to number 1 in the world.

Tennis connoisseurs on social media believe that with this victory, Ruud is already in the top 3 in the world, even with a loss in the semifinals.