We rewind to the US Open final in September 2021. Star player and favorite Novak Djokovic throws his racket on the ground and tears flow. Russian Daniil Medvedev won three straight sets and the historic Grand Slam winner missed out on the Serb. On Sunday afternoon, Casper Ruud can create a new breakthrough for the world champion, who is playing for his 23rd Grand Slam title and a place in the history books. Alexander Zverev, whom Ruud knocked out in the semi-finals on Friday, thinks it can be an advantage for Ruud that Djokovic is under pressure: TEARS: Tears flowed when Novak Djokovic lost the final of the US Open in 2021 and his 23rd Grand Slam title. Photo: John Minchillo / AP – I don’t think the starting point could have been better, to be honest. Novak is one of the best players in the world, that’s for sure. But when you are close to making history, I think it puts a little extra pressure, Zverev believes and explains further: – You remember the US Open final with Medvedev after he beat me in the semi-finals. Pressure – you know, we’re all human. Novak is human. We all know it. I think that is the best scenario for Casper. – Most pressure for him Zverev admits that Djokovic is the favorite to take the title in Roland-Garros, but he was also in New York in 2021. Despite the collapse the last time the Serb had the chance to take the record, Djokovic claims that he likes the feeling of being able to write history. – It is a great privilege to be able to write history in the sport you love so much, and it has given me a lot. My motivation is very high. There is one match left, and hopefully I will be able to lift the trophy, said Djokovic at the press conference on Friday. – There is always pressure on my shoulders, so it won’t be any different than before. But it is part of the sport, part of my life and everything I do, the 36-year-old continued. CRUSHED: Djokovic was literally crushed in the US Open final 2021. Photo: AFP Ruud, who is playing for his first Grand Slam title, is prepared that Djokovic’s chance to write history will make the event extra big. – There are probably many people who want to know that Djokovic is able to write new history. Perhaps he will also think about that. I have not beaten him before, and he probably thinks that he is the favorite and there is the most pressure for him, Ruud told the Norwegian press after the semi-final. – It will be tough. I’ll just try to play without pressure and enjoy the moment. I think it was my mentality last year, but it didn’t go my way. I want to do better than last year, so let’s see if I’ve learned anything from the two finals in 2022, said Ruud. LEARNING: Casper Ruud believes he has learned a lot after the two final losses in Roland Garros and the US Open last year. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB – My toughest challenge In last year’s final against Rafael Nadal, the Snarøya guy got a tennis lesson and lost in three straight sets. Three months later, he was closer to going to the top in the US Open final against Carlos Alcaraz, but a long and dramatic battle even with the Spanish winning once more. Now Ruud hopes the progression in the final will continue on Sunday. – I will try to do something like today and come out and give everything I can at every point and see if I can do better this year than last year. I feel like a better player today than last year, so it’s at least a good sign, said Ruud after winning the semi-final in straight sets. The last time the tennis tops met was in the ATP finals in Turin in November, when the Serbian won superiorly with the set numbers 7-5, 6-3. – Playing against Novak on Sunday will be my toughest challenge this year. We will do our best to get ready and play at our best, Ruud said after the semi-final. The final between Ruud and Djokovic in Roland-Garros will be broadcast on TVNorge and Discovery+ from 2.30pm on Sunday.
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