2022 USO SF: Khachanov vs. Ruud

[kskate2]

Casper leads the H2H

 

[Front242]

No thread yet for Khachanov v Ruud but Khachanov has a high chance of winning this win if not fatigued from 2 x 5 setters. He's playing like a much better Berrettini, is taller and is serving better and making less errors. Berrettini still hit some decent shots against Ruud but a ton miles wide and into the net but a less error prone big server is not what Ruud wants.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

No thread yet for Khachanov v Ruud but Khachanov has a high chance of winning this win if not fatigued from 2 x 5 setters. He's playing like a much better Berrettini, is taller and is serving better and making less errors. Berrettini still hit some decent shots against Ruud but a ton miles wide and into the net but a less error prone big server is not what Ruud wants.

The roof was closed though which helps with big serving. If the roof isn’t closed, that might affect his serving. Ruud is better at ROS than Kyrgios I would argue. I would also add Ruud has been in the position of serving for a final which KK hasn’t.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Definitely the least interesting out of both SFs. I guess I'm rooting for Khachanov simply because Nadal's no.1 ranking is on the line. Who would have predicted that if a Russian would go that far it would be Khachanov and not Medvedev/Rublev.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It all depends if the roof is closed or not.When KK played Nick in the q/final the heavier conditions suited his play, also it was the best tennis I have seen from KK in sometime
I have been impressed with Ruud, especially in his performance against Matteo.
Ruud I feel will win and get another chance of competing in another GS final.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

It all depends if the roof is closed or not.When KK played Nick in the q/final the heavier conditions suited his play, also it was the best tennis I have seen from KK in sometime
I have been impressed with Ruud, especially in his performance against Matteo.
Ruud I feel will win and get another chance of competing in another GS final.

I think Ruud has an RG in him for sure. I would like to see him win here and get that clay court specialist moniker off his back and just win a title above a 250. It would be nice to see. He puts in the work, and he trains at the Rafael Nadal Academy quite a lot, so I am sure Rafa and company would love to have that form of advertising of someone else winning a slam who trains with them frequently.

 

[kskate2]

I like KK when he's not deflating balls, but I don't know that he can defend well enough to send the Ghost packing.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I think Ruud has an RG in him for sure. I would like to see him win here and get that clay court specialist moniker off his back and just win a title above a 250. It would be nice to see. He puts in the work, and he trains at the Rafael Nadal Academy quite a lot, so I am sure Rafa and company would love to have that form of advertising of someone else winning a slam who trains with them frequently.

I think Ruud making a s/final on HC at the USO gets rid of that 'myth' he is just a clay court specialist, remember people used to 'tag Rafa' with the same old same old, just a clay court player, look what he has achieved off clay

 

[Moxie]

I don't like KK's game, though he was more interesting in beating Kyrgios. I'll go Casper in 4. Khachanov is my last choice of the 4 left on offer, and I don't care what that means to Rafa getting back to #1.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Let's go Khachanov.

 

[TheSicilian]

I hope Ruud makes the final, picking him to win in 4.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

If the roof isn’t closed, that definitely works in Ruud’s favor. If it is, KK has an advantage. However, Ruud has made a slam final which comes into play when it comes to making another slam final. I think Ruud does this, but how many sets it really depends on his focus. He was dialed in with Berrettini taking advantage of everything. He will have to do that here too.

 

[Front242]

I think Ruud has an RG in him for sure. I would like to see him win here and get that clay court specialist moniker off his back and just win a title above a 250. It would be nice to see. He puts in the work, and he trains at the Rafael Nadal Academy quite a lot, so I am sure Rafa and company would love to have that form of advertising of someone else winning a slam who trains with them frequently.

It's laughable the shambles the ATP has become with the rankings that a guy with only 250 titles to his game could be world number 1. Of course he'd have also have won a slam to do but still...it's a mess.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

It's laughable the shambles the ATP has become with the rankings that a guy with only 250 titles to his game could be world number 1. Of course he'd have also have won a slam to do but still...it's a mess.

He doesn't even need to win a slam to do it. If he makes the final but Alcaraz does not, then Ruud would still be no.1 with only 250 titles.

 

[Front242]

He doesn't even need to win a slam to do it. If he makes the final but Alcaraz does not, then Ruud would still be no.1 with only 250 titles.

Easier worse than I thought. Hadn't looked into the rankings at all. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Easier worse than I thought. Hadn't looked into the rankings at all. Thanks for clarifying.

Basically...

- If neither Alcaraz or Ruud makes the final, then Nadal is no.1.

- If Alcaraz makes the final, Ruud doesn't, then Alcaraz secures no.1.

- If Ruud makes the final, Alcaraz doesn't, then Ruud secures no.1.

- If both Alcaraz and Ruud make the final, then the winner of that match is no.1.

I'm rooting for the first option. Let's go Tiafoe and Khachanov!.

 

[Front242]

Basically...

- If neither Alcaraz or Ruud makes the final, then Nadal is no.1.

- If Alcaraz makes the final, Ruud doesn't, then Alcaraz secures no.1.

- If Ruud makes the final, Alcaraz doesn't, then Ruud secures no.1.

- If both Alcaraz and Ruud make the final, then the winner of that match is no.1.

I'm rooting for the first option. Let's go Tiafoe and Khachanov!.

And it's not out of the question by any means that Tiafoe and Khachanov win if they both serve well and finish points quickly.

 

[Front242]

Khachanov is going to absolutely kill Ruud on backhand to backhand exchanges and if he manages to serve well and keep the errors on his forehand in check this is his. Easier said than done of course.

 

[Front242]

I'm predicting first set 9 games or less.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I'm predicting first set 9 games or less.

Who are you predicting to win? are you betting