Karen Khachanov vs Casper Ruud Prediction & Betting Tips - US Open

Prediction published on 07/09/2022, 11:24  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 08/09/2022 at 08:55 in ATP US Open Prediction

Casper Ruud is closing in on becoming the new world number one. He takes on 27th seed Karen Khachanov in the US Open semi-final, hoping to reach his second Grand Slam final of the year. The live rankings have Rafael Nadal in the top spot but he lost in the last 16 of this tournament as did Daniil Medvedev. Reaching the final will take Ruud above Nadal and he'd be assured top spot if Alcarez doesn't win the title. Ruud is the fifth seed and hasn't had it all his own way in this 2022 US Open. He's dropped four sets so far but beat Matteo Berrettini in the quarter finals without dropping a set. His only previous match against Khachanov saw him win in three sets in Rome but that was on clay.

Karen Khachanov is the world number 31 but up to 18th in the live rankings. This tournament hasn't been a lucky one for him until this year. Three of his last five appearances in New York have seen him make a first round exit. This is his first Grand Slam semi-final and not since 2019 has he even made it to a Masters last four. He's famous for his Paris Masters win four years ago but didn't make another major final until winning the Silver Medal in the Men's Singles at the Tokyo Olympics last year. He got to the final of a tournament in Adelaide in his very first tournament of 2022. He's dropped six sets on his way to this semi-final, going to five-setters with Pablo Carreno Busta and in the quarter finals, Nick Kyrgios. Ruud appears to be in the better form and he's more consistent than Khachanov. Back him to win this, possibly in four or five sets.