Norwegian Casper Ruud has become the first tennis player to reach the semi-finals of this year’s US Open in New York.
Fifth seed Ruud, 23, defeated Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, 26, straight up in three sets 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) to become the first Norwegian in tournament history to qualify for the top four.
There, the French Open finalist will meet either Australian Nick Kyrgios or Karen Khachanov from Russia. In the event of a final appearance, Ruud could take over the number one spot in the world rankings from the Russian Daniil Medvedev after the last Grand Slam tournament of the year. The dethroned defending champion will lose his top position in any case after his round of 16 exit against Kyrgios.
In the women’s singles, Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur was the first player to reach the final round. The Tunisian won her quarter-final against Ajla Tomljanovic, who had knocked out tennis icon Serena Williams in the third round, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
