Carlos Alcaraz has booked himself a spot in the final of the US Open against Casper Ruud, after winning a battling five-set thriller over Frances Tiafoe in New York. The Spanish star came out on top in an epic semi-final, after seeing off the American with a 6-7. 6-3, 6-1, 7-6, 6-3 victory.
The 19-year-old became the youngest man to make a Grand Slam in 17 years, the last being his fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal when the tennis great won his maiden French Open title in 2019. The first set of the five-hour clash proved to be a taste of things to come as neither player gave up the serve, but it would be Tiafoe who take the tie break and the opening set 7-6.
The first break of serve in the match finally came 19 games into the clash, and it was an important one for Alcaraz as it allowed him to move 4-2 up in second, before going on to win 6-3 and level things up a one set apiece.
The Spanish star has proven himself to be tennis' next big star in 2022, and it seemed winning set two ignited the player that the sport had seen throughout the season as he went on to dominate the third 6-1 to move himself ahead in sets 2-1 for the first time in the match. Whilst Alcaraz had proven to be tennis' golden boy over the past year, Tiafoe had announced himself as the national hero with the US fans in a little over two weeks.
And the 24-year-old seemingly used this home support to rally himself back into the match in the fourth set as he was once again able to prevail in a nail-biting tie break to drag himself back into the game and level things up at 2-2 to set up a decider - and another late finish in New York.
Sadly for Tiafoe and the home crowd though, a final set with the world No. 4 proved a step too far as Alcaraz found a much-needed second win to win the gruelling fifth set 6-3, to set up an eagerly-awaited final with fellow starlet Ruud. Sunday's finale also has added incentive for both players, with the world No. 1 spot also up for grabs for the winner.
Speaking about making his Grand Slam final debut on Sunday, Alcaraz said: "It's amazing to be able to fight for big things. First time in the final of a Grand Slam. I can see the No. 1 in the world, but at the same time it's so far away. I have one more to go against a player who is unbelievable.
"He deserves to play a final. He played the final of a Grand Slam in Roland Garros. This is my first time. I'm going to give everything that I have. I will have to handle the nerves of being in a final of a Grand Slam, but obviously I'm really, really happy and as I said before every match, I'm going to enjoy. I'm going to enjoy the moment and let's see what happens."
