The men’s singles draw at the US Open is set to have a new champion similar to their female counterparts
With Karen Khachanov’s win over Nick Kyrgios, the US Open is now set to have three first time Slam semi-finalists. Khachanov will face Casper Ruud in the first semi-final while the second semi-final will take place between the winners of the matches between Sinner-Alcaraz and Rublev-Tiafoe. Among all these players, only Ruud has the experience of previously playing in a Grand Slam semi-final.
The quarterfinal line-up has already guaranteed a first-time major champion. This marks the third consecutive US Open where a man will claim his first major title. If both Alcaraz and Ruud make the final, the winner will become the new world No. 1. Among the other remaining players, Jannik Sinner became the first man born in the 2000s to reach the quarterfinals at all four majors while Frances Tiafoe became the first American to reach the quarterfinals since John Isner in 2018, the first African American man to do so since James Blake in 2006, and the youngest American to do so since Roddick in 2004.
Fans are excited to welcome a first-time men’s singles champion and the fact that local favourite Tiafoe is in the mix just adds to the flavour. Let us take a look at some of the reactions.
“It’s weird that Alcaraz, Sinner and especially Rublev had never been to slam semis before. They have always been consistent in big tournaments”, wrote a fan.
“Wishing a Khachanov – Rublev final”, wrote a Russian fan.
“I like tennis but I’m pretty sure I’m not gonna watch Khachanov/Ruud semis. I’ll definitely watch the other half, which seem a lot exciting”, tweeted another fan.
“This is why i prefer Djoker on the sidelines, opens things up so much. parity is fun”, read another tweet.
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