World No 1 status could be settled on Friday evening in New York

US Open

James Richardson
September 9, 2022

The identity of the next World No 1 could be revealed by the end of play on Friday at the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York.

With Casper Ruud facing Karen Khachanov on Friday afternoon and Carlos Alcaraz taking on Frances Tiafoe on Centre Court in the evening in the US Open’s men’s singles semi-finals, three scenarios would see a new World No 1 settled on the night.

The first scenario is that both Ruud and Alcaraz lose and Rafael Nadal then becomes the new World No 1.

A Khachanov vs Tiafoe final would not have an impact on the ATP Rankings summit.

If either or both of Ruud and Alcaraz win their matches then Nadal will fall out of the running for the World No 1 ranking.

If Ruud or Alcaraz reach the US Open final and the other man does not then they will have clinched the World No 1 Status ahead of Sunday’s final.

However, if both Ruud and Alcaraz progress to the final then the result of that match will determine who takes over from Daniil Medvedev on Monday.

Alcaraz would be the youngest World No 1 in ATP Rankings history, while Ruud could become the Norwegian to accomplish the feat.

Ruud would be contesting his second Grand Slam final after reaching the Championship match at Roland Garros only to be blown away by Nadal.

The 23-year-old from Norway has belief that he could be the next player to join the illustrious ranks of Grand Slam winners.

“When you look at the Champions’ Wall in the locker room here, you see there are many different players who have won this tournament,” Ruud said.

“This is a Grand Slam the last 18 or 19 years that had more winners than the rest of them, because I’m not sure why, but there is something special I guess with this place.

“It shows that it’s possible to do it here in New York. It’s sort of a city of dreams, and I guess that’s helping me with my game and my motivation.”

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Alcaraz has been handed a rotten schedule for the US Open playing two very late matches in the second week.

He says that the crowd gave hime energy but it remains to be seen if he finds Arthur Ashe stadium as supportive when he faces a home hero.

“The energy I received on this court at 3 a.m., it was unbelievable,” the No 3 said in his post-match press conference.

“Probably in other tournaments, other places, everybody [would go] to their house to rest. But they [stayed] in the court, supporting me. It was unbelievable.

“I feel great to be in my first semifinal in a Grand Slam. I feel better reaching the semifinals here at the US Open. This tournament is amazing. The crowd is amazing, I would say the best in the world.”

Carlos Alcaraz Casper Ruud Rafael Nadal