US Open 2022, Semifinals, Friday, 09.09.2022
Can what is happening in New York these days already be called the death of the favourites? At the US Open 2022, some top favourites are not only struggling, they will even watch the final on Sunday from the sofa!
The first semi-final will take place on Friday evening and is divided into two parts. One is one that some experts were quite expecting, after all, he has already been in the final of the French Open this year.
The other, however, is a big surprise. But since we are only one step away from the final, the odds at Bwin are nevertheless converging. In my Khachanov Ruud tip, I therefore reveal what I think speaks in favour of a victory for the Norwegian!
Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev and Nick Kyrgios, this trio actually wanted to settle the places in the final among themselves. In the meantime, however, they have no other choice: they have to leave the big stage to others.
The one who has definitely earned his place in the upcoming semi-final is Casper Ruud. His example shows once again: Apparently, you have to fluff a dress rehearsal in order to be in top shape when it really counts.
In Cincinnati, he was eliminated without a chance against Ben Shelton. The Roland Garros finalist was obviously saving his best performances for New York, where he seems to know how far he has to go in every round.
He had no problems against Kyle Edmund at the start in his 6-3, 7-5, 6-2. Tim van Rijthoven demanded much more from him afterwards, and the favourite won by a much narrower margin 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
But Ruud saved the real showdown for the 3rd round against Tommy Paul. Even in the run-up to the match, there was a lot of anticipation for this duel, which left nothing to be desired for hours on end.
7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 5-7 – after these first four sets the audience could hardly keep their seats. But Ruud must have saved some bodies, otherwise how could he have conjured up a 6-0 in the decisive fifth set?
Much quieter was the round of 16 against Corentin Moutet, where the Norwegian managed a much quicker 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-2. Finally, on Tuesday, everyone looked to the Arthur Ash Stadium where Matteo Berrettini was waiting.
Actually, the bettors were also expecting a thriller, but Ruud made short work of his opponent. 6-1, 6-4, 7-6, he won the last set, although he was already trailing 1-4 and 3-5 on Berrettini’s serve.
There is no question that he deserved to reach the semi-finals. He met his opponent, Karen Khachanov, only once before the match. Two years ago in Rome, he secured a three-set victory, played on clay, his favourite surface.
With odds of 1.55 to 2.40, Ruud is in the lead with the German betting companies, because everyone knows: Khachanov did not reach the top four by chance. A fortnight ago, the Russian was by no means considered to be one of the favourites.
For the 26-year-old it is the first time ever that he has knocked so far in front in a Grand Slam. And that despite losing the very first set of the tournament 3-6 to Denis Kudla.
Khachanov pulled himself together and won both against the American and then against Thiago Monteiro with 3:1 sets. His close duel against Jack Draper ended early by opponent’s surrender.
The Russian used the energy saved here to prepare for a total of ten sets in the round of 16 and quarter-finals. First, he disenchanted Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 before bringing out even heavier guns.
He came into the match against Nick Kyrgios with absolutely no chance, but the intense, brutally close match tipped in his favour in the end. 7-5, 4-6, 5-7, 6-7, 6-4, a match could hardly last longer.
He fended off seven of Kyrgios’ nine break chances, his 67% winning points on second serve were particularly strong. Against Carreno Busta, he had even managed to win almost 75% of this statistic.
One was expected in the semi-finals, the other not at all. And yet, on Friday, the bookmakers gave them both the chance to reach the final of the US Open! In my analysis, both Casper Ruud and Karen Khachanov deserve praise.
For me, however, the Norwegian is the decisive tick ahead. He beat Matteo Berrettini straight up and doesn’t let himself get rattled even if he is clearly behind.
Khachanov may have taken out Carreno Busta and Kyrgios, but he also profited from weak days of his opponents. Therefore, I recommend the following bet:
Ruud wins against Khachanov!
