Not only will a first grand slam championship be at stake when Casper Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz square off in the US Open final, but also the top spot in the world rankings.

Alcaraz is competing in his first major final, while Ruud is competing in his second. The seventh seed from Norway lost to Rafael Nadal in the French Open final this year, but the match on Sunday promises to be more competitive, in part because Alcaraz seems to enjoy playing five-set marathons.

Also read: US Open 2022 final: Casper Ruud vs Carlos Alcaraz head-to-head, other stats

On his journey to the championship match, the 19-year-old played three consecutive five-set matches, including the second-longest match in US Open history, which he won over Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals, the tournament’s latest ever result.

After defeating Frances Tiafoe in the final four, Alcaraz told reporters, “It’s the final of a grand slam, fighting for the No. 1 in the world – something that I have dreamed of since I was a kid.”

Defeating Ruud would make Alcaraz the youngest No. 1 in ATP rankings history, a distinction now held by Lleyton Hewitt, who topped the rankings in 2001 at the age of 20.

Also read: US Open 2022: Carlos Alcaraz or Casper Ruud? The race for World No. 1

The triumph might be the first of many grand slam titles for the Spaniard over the rest of his career. This week, the Spaniard has mesmerised audiences with his speed, athleticism, and incredible shot-making.

After their semifinal match, Tiafoe praised Alcaraz, calling him “a hell of a player” and “a hell of a person,” and predicted that Alcaraz would win.

Alcaraz, a clay court expert who has garnered similarities to fellow countryman and 22-time grand slam champion Nadal, is only the second adolescent in the Open Era, after Pete Sampras, to reach the US Open final. Whatever the outcome on Sunday, his future appears promising.

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Alcaraz told reporters on Saturday, “Right now, you can see that all the hard work I put in every day is paying off.”

In contrast, Ruud will attempt to make history by being the first guy from Norway to win a grand slam title in the final.

Compared to Alcaraz, he has played less tennis at this year’s competition, winning just one five-set match against Tommy Paul in the third round.

When it comes to grand slams, Ruud has had a breakthrough year. The 23-year-old has never advanced past the fourth round before this year’s French Open.

Also read: Carlos Alcaraz vs Casper Ruud: When and where to watch US Open men’s singles final 2022

“When you have success or achieve or experience success in the grand slams, it sort of does something to your mindset,” he told reporters. “Knowing that I can reach further stages, that does something with your self-belief.”

Ruud and Alcaraz have previously faced off twice, with the latter winning both, most notably in the Miami Open final this year.

“We’re playing for the tournament and also world No. 1,” Ruud said. “Of course, there will be nerves and we will both feel it.”

Any nervousness will be reasonable because the men’s singles category at the US Open will award a first-time grand slam champion for the third year in a row.