Norway's Casper Ruud has reached the US Open semi-finals for the first time ©Getty Images

Norway's Casper Ruud has moved to within two victories of becoming world number one after beating Italian Matteo Berrettini in straight sets to make his first men’s singles US Open semi-final.

After Spain’s Rafael Nadal’s shock fourth-round defeat to American Frances Tiafoe yesterday, Ruud has been given a path to the top of the rankings.

Should Ruud win the US Open crown or reach the final against an opponent other than Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, the Norwegian will reach the summit.

Berrettini was expected to provide a difficult challenge, but Ruud was in ruthless form as he powered to a 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 victory in New York.

Ruud won 11 of the first 13 games as he surged into a 6-1, 5-1 lead before Berrettini broke his opponent’s serve.

The third set proved far tighter with Berrettini securing an early break before Ruud responded to force a tie-break.

Ruud then held his nerve to win the tie-break 7-4, wrapping up the triumph in two hours and 35 minutes.

"That was a better start than I think I ever had before in a match," said Ruud, who had not been past the third round in four main-draw appearances in New York prior to this year.

"Everything was going my way.

"I was hitting all the spots I needed to plus Matteo maybe didn’t serve as well as he usually does.

"I was able to take care of the chances that I got."

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur proved too strong for Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic in the women's singles quarter-finals ©Getty Images
Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur proved too strong for Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic in the women's singles quarter-finals ©Getty Images

Ruud will face the winner of Australia’s Nick Kyrgios and Russian Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals as he eyes the world number one spot.

"It’s something that of course all young players dream about, so if I’m in a position to do it, let’s see if I can accomplish it,” said Ruud.

"Of course, it’s a little bit of extra motivation to dig in, and even if you’re down on the score, to keep fighting.

"You never know what’s going to happen and if I’m very, very lucky I can leave New York as world number one so I’m trying to go for it of course."

Tunisia's Ons Jabeur made more history at the US Open as she became the first African woman to reach the semi-finals.

The fifth seed, who reached the Wimbledon final earlier this year, defeated Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 7-6 to secure her 43rd victory of 2022.

"I believe in myself after Wimbledon,” said Jabeur who will play either American Coco Gauff or Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia in the last four.

"I know that I have it in me to win a [major] final.

"And here I am in the semi-finals.

"I’m just trying to do my job here, hopefully I inspire more and more generations from Africa.

"It really means a lot to me."