US Open day 12: Carlos Alcaraz the human highlight reel, Billie Jean King finds a fourth for doubles

US Open

Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud will do battle for the US Open trophy and world No 1 ranking on Sunday after they both came through tough battles to reach the final at Flushing Meadows.

Ruud was a four-set winner over Karen Khachanov while Alcaraz survived his third straight night session five-setter, beating American hope Frances Tiafoe.

It mean it will not only be the US Open crown that is on the line as the winner of the Alcaraz-Ruud match will also take over from Daniil Medvedev at the top of the ATP Rankings, edging out 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal.

Britain’s Joe Salisbury and American Rajeev Ram successfully defended their men’s doubles title, beating another British player, Neal Skupski, and Dutchman Wesley Koolhof 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 in the final.

Picture of the day

Carlos Alcaraz celebrations

Carlos Alcaraz takes in reaching his first Grand Slam final (Charles Krupa/AP)

Tweet of the day

Billie Jean King “adds” fellow legend Venus Williams to her doubles group, but you have to wonder if King and Williams will be on the same team. Surely that would not be fair? We think it would only be fair if the other team add Serena Williams.

Stat of the day

55 – Number of shots in the rally between Casper Ruud and Karen Khachanov when Ruud took the first set.

Point of the day

Spaniard Alcaraz pulls off stunning shot after stunning shot after stunning shot… we could go on all day and all night, much like the teenager is able to go on all day and all night during his matches at Flushing Meadows.

Quote of the day

“I’m going to come back and I will win this thing one day.” – Frances Tiafoe after going down in a titanic five-sets battle against fellow young gun Carlos Alcaraz.

Who’s up next?

The women’s title will be decided on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday when world No 1 Iga Swiatek takes on Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur.

Swiatek is bidding for her third Grand Slam title and first away from the French Open while Wimbledon finalist Jabeur can claim a historic first Slam crown by an African and Arab woman.

There is British interest in the wheelchair finals, where Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid are bidding for another men’s doubles title.

Carlos Alcaraz Casper Ruud Frances Tiafoe Karen Khachanov

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