Fifty-five shots across one minute, 17 seconds of grueling baseline tennis in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
That's what it took for Casper Ruud to clinch the first set in his 2022 US Open semifinal, as the Norwegian outlasted Karen Khachanov in a dramatic 6-5 point late in the opening tiebreak.
The marathon exchange is 19 shots longer than the next-longest rally this fortnight, and two shots longer than the epic 53-ball rally between Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic during the 2021 US Open semis.
The 23-year-old Ruud spent much of the exchange in the ad-court, seeking run-around forehands as often as possible. But despite being on top of much of the play, he needed to flash his defensive skills with a pesky forehand slice late in the rally to keep Khachanov pinned back.
Eight shots later, on lucky number 55, he made supreme contact as he stepped into a down-the-line backhand from just outside the doubles alley. Khachanov got a racquet on the lasered shot, but could not clear the net with his reply.
After securing the opening stanza on his third set point, Ruud would ultimately advance to the 2022 US Open final with a 7-6(5), 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 result. Through to his second Grand Slam final (after this year at Roland Garros), the Norwegian will play for his first major title against either Carlos Alcaraz or Frances Tiafoe on Sunday.
If Alcaraz does not reach the final, Ruud will make a stunning debut as world No. 1 following the US Open. If the Spaniard does advance, the winner of the Ruud-Alcaraz final will earn the ATP's top spot.
The 53-ball rally (click link for video) in the Djokovic-Zverev semifinal also came on set point, with the German prevailing at 15-40 while trailing 4-5 in the third set. But despite Zverev's efforts, Djokovic would stil break in that game on his way to a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 victory.
