Ruud laments missed opportunities

As chants of their last name rang out through Arthur Ashe Stadium, Casper Ruud’s father proudly recorded a video of him accepting the U.S. Open runner-up trophy. “Good memory for life,” Christian Ruud said. It might have been so much better had the young Norwegian been able to win the third set when he had chances. Unable to convert two set points there, Ruud lost to Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3 on Sunday in his second Grand Slam final. The younger Ruud also was the runner-up at the French Open against Rafael Nadal. “In Roland Garros, was hard for me to believe that I could beat Rafa,” Ruud said. “Today was not easier, but I believed more.” Both Christian Ruud, a former pro who now coaches his 23-year-old son, and Casper lamented the chances that got away when Alcaraz served trailing 6-5 in the third set. Ruud would get two chances to take the set, but Alcaraz would erase them both on trips to the net. Ruud then committed four unforced errors in the tiebreaker to help Alcaraz run away with it. Ruud moved up to No. 2 in the rankings behind Alcaraz.