US Open: 'I'm surprised' - Changing of the guard 'incredible' say Kim Clijsters, Mats Wilander, Alex Corretja

For several years, the changing of the guard in men’s tennis has long been discussed and it is now finally happening, according to Eurosport’s experts. Karen Khachanov, Casper Ruud, Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe made up the semi-finalists of the US Open, which guaranteed a new Grand Slam champion. Ad Six-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters believes it’s been “great” for tennis to see younger and lesser-known names go deep in the tournament at Flushing Meadows.

US OpenRuud: Nadal defeat has prepared me for Alcaraz showdown5 HOURS AGO “I am surprised [to see the men’s semi-finalists] because there were a few guys, like a Nick Kyrgios, like a [Alexander] Zverev, like a Dominic Thiem who have done well here in the past,” Clijsters told Eurosport. “Thiem has won here. But to see the younger generation step up now and be potential Grand Slam champions is incredible.

“It’s great for the tournament, and I think a lot of people on the men’s side are happy to see the great matches that we have seen here. In a few years we’re not going to see those three guys anymore.” Tennis pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II before US Open semi-finals ‘Deeply saddended’ – Federer and Nadal post messages on passing of Queen Elizabeth II A new era Prior to Daniil Medvedev becoming world No. 1 earlier this year, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray held top spot in the ATP rankings since 2004.

On Sunday, the winner of the final between Ruud and Alcaraz will become the new world No. 1 after surging up the rankings over the last 18 months, which Wilander thinks shows the current strength in men’s tennis. “It definitely shows that there’s a changing of the guard going on, and obviously some of it has to do with age — for