Carlos Alcaraz has cemented his name in the record books, winning the US Open final to become the youngest No. 1 male player in history.
Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz has cemented his name in the record books, winning the US Open men’s singles final to become the youngest No. 1 male player in tennis history.
The 19-year-old defeated Norway’s Casper Ruud 6-4 2-6 7-6 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday morning AEST to claim his maiden grand slam singles title.
Alcaraz was far from his best in the must-win final, with lingering fatigue from Saturday’s five-set marathon seemingly taking its toll on the young Spaniard.
But the tennis prodigy held his nerve at Flushing Meadows, becoming the second-youngest men’s singles champion in New York in the Open Era.
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Alcaraz quickly broke serve in the first set to take an early lead, but Ruud clinched a double break in the second to even the scores.
The third set was one of the most entertaining of the entire tournament, with Alcaraz comprehensively winning a tiebreak to put himself six games away from the coveted No. 1 ranking.
And after breaking serve once again in the fourth set, Alcaraz secured the historic victory to send the New York crowd into a frenzy.
He is not only the first teenager to claim the top ranking, but also becomes the youngest grand slam men’s champion since compatriot Rafael Nadal achieved the feat at the 2005 French Open.
"This is something I dreamed of since I was a kid," Alacaraz said after the triumph.
"To be number 1, to be a champion. It's something I worked really really hard for. It's tough to talk right now, a lot of emotions. This is something I tried to achieve, all the hard work I did with my team, my family."
Alacaraz also broke the record for most time played at a single grand slam tournament on record, passing 23 hours and 30 minutes during the final.
It is so cool when it's only the beginning for Carlos Alcaraz...
— Lee Schechter (@LeeSchechter) September 11, 2022
How many will this kid win if he is healthy?
Incredible once in a generation player.
Only fair that Carlos Alcaraz wins a Grand Slam this year. Best ATP player this year. Very dominant and very deserving.
— Deji Faremi (@deejayfaremi) September 11, 2022
"Today was a special day for both Carlos and I," a dejected Ruud, who becomes the new world No. 2, said after the loss.
"We knew what we were playing for. We knew what was at stake. And it's fun that both finalists will be no. 2 and no. 1 in the world tomorrow. I think it's fitting.
"Disappointed, of course ... but no. 2 is not bad either."
Earlier on Sunday, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek won her third grand slam singles title, defeating Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur in straight sets on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The opening five games of the fourth set remained on serve, with Ruud desperate to force a fifth at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Alacaraz, meanwhile, has broken the record for most time played at a single grand slam tournament on record, passing 23 hours and 21 minutes.
The Spaniard broke serve at 3-2 to put himself within touching distance of a maiden grand slam singles title.
And not longer that, he got the job done.
Ruud vs Alcaraz final score: 4-6, 6-2, 6-7, 3-6
Alcaraz's third set started impeccably, mustering three break points in Ruud's opening service game.
And it was third time lucky for the Spaniard, clinching the break with a well-directed drop shot.
Ruud saved a crucial break point in his second service game with a powerful forehand winner.
A cluster of unforced errors started plaguing Alcaraz early in the third set, with the 19-year-old playing far from his best on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Perhaps fatigue was starting to take its toll on the teenager.
Alcaraz smashed his racquet on the net in frustration after gifting Ruud two break points at 2-1, with the Norwegian putting the second set back on serve on the second attempt.
An entertaining ninth game went to deuce, with Alcaraz literally throwing himself around the court while hunting for a break.
The Spaniard teenager's serve started slowing as the third set seemingly approached a tiebreak.
Ruud mustered a set point at 6-5 in a late twist, but the No. 5 seed couldn't get the job done.
This has been a marathon set, headlined by some of the most thrilling points of the tournament.
I just keep yelling at the TV “oh my effing god” throughout this match. The points, Jesus. #USOpen
— Aishwarya Kumar (@kumaraishwarya) September 11, 2022
This #USOpen match is incredible
— jodi gralnick (@jodigralnick) September 11, 2022
The crowd at the #USOpen is ridiculous, with fans shouting and screaming between every point. I'm all for enjoying yourself at a high-profile sporting event, but let the players play.
— Tom Young (@TomYoungSJ) September 11, 2022
Ruud shanked a pair of backhands in the tiebreak and never recovered, with Alcaraz storming to a 7-1 win.
The Spaniard is now one set away from making history.
Ruud vs Alcaraz third set score: 4-6, 6-2, 6-7
The opening three games of the second set remained on serve, with Alcaraz's first serve becoming increasingly effective.
Ruud saved a break point in the fifth game with a well-directed first serve on the centre line.
But the Norwegian finally secured hie first break of the match to take a 4-2 lead in the second set.
Alcaraz completely lost his cool after the setback, screaming out in frustration and following it up with a pair of double faults in his next service game.
Ruud even the scores soon after, breaking serve once again to clinch the second set with an overheard smash.
Surely we're not heading towards another five-set epic? Surely?
That was flawless from Ruud! Carlos losing focus… #USOPEN
— B. by Sekumba (@Bridget_Otoo) September 11, 2022
Ruud vs Alcaraz second set score: 4-6, 6-2
Alcaraz threatened to clinch an early break after taking advantage in Ruud's opening service game, but the Norwegian held his nerve.
The Spaniard saved two break points in the following game to keep the opening set on serve.
And it was the 19-year-old who drew first blood, breaking serve in the third game to take an early lead in the first set.
While trailing 3-4, Ruud received overwhelming praise from the tennis community for an "amazing" act of sportsmanship.
The No. 5 seed was awarded a point after Alcaraz smacked a forehand into the net, but informed the chair umpire the ball had bounced twice in his side side of the court.
Alcaraz, who went on to win the first set, thanked his opponent for the confession.
Respect the sport you love. ❤️
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) September 11, 2022
Well done @CasperRuud98 👏 #USOpen pic.twitter.com/NGmoWtUAuX
Great sportsmanship from Casper Ruud.
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) September 11, 2022
Gives Carlos Alcaraz the point.
You love to see it.#USOpen
Amazing sportsmanship from Casper Ruud as per, giving the point to Carlos Alcaraz after admitting the ball was not-up on his shot. #USOpen
— Yasmin Syed (@yasminstefsyed) September 11, 2022
Ruud vs Alcaraz first set score: 4-6
Casper Ruud and Carloz Alcaraz have made their away onto Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the New York crowd greeting them with a wild applause.
The roof is closed at the iconic venue due to some lingering rain.
Carlos Alcaraz insists he is “not afraid” as he targets the US Open title and a slice of history as the youngest men’s world number one on Sunday.
The 19-year-old Spaniard tackles Casper Ruud in a winner-takes-all final with both men chasing a maiden Slam crown and the top ranking.
“I’m not afraid of the moment,” said Alcaraz, the youngest finalist at a major since compatriot Rafael Nadal won the French Open in 2005.
In a tournament which saw Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer fail to make the start, and four-time winner Nadal falling at the last-16 hurdle, Alcaraz has flourished in his status as champion-in-waiting.
His mesmerising shot-making and flamboyance hasve seen him overcome three successive five-setters to make the final. He spent more than 13 hours on court in those three marathons.
Against Jannik Sinner, in a five-hour 15-minute quarter-final which ended at 2.50am local time on Thursday morning, he saved a match point.
He then required four match points to finish off Frances Tiafoe in Friday’s semi-final, which was the fourth longest match of the tournament.
It was Alcaraz’s 50th win of 2022.
Such performances have convinced Alcaraz that the stars have aligned for him to capture his first Slam title.
“I’ve prepared myself mentally and physically to be fighting for the big things on Sunday,” said Alcaraz, the youngest finalist in New York since Pete Sampras in 1990.
“I always dreamed of being number one.”
Alcaraz has a 2-0 winning record over Ruud, who will be playing in his second Slam final after finishing runner-up to Nadal at the French Open in June.
One of those wins came on hard courts at the Miami final in March. It was one of Alcaraz’s four titles in 2022.
In both previous meetings, Alcaraz has won in straight sets.
“I am just going for it and I’ll enjoy the moment,” said Alcaraz, whose coach Juan Carlos Ferrero ascended to the number one spot when he made the 2003 final in New York.
Ruud, meanwhile, won’t be afraid of slugging it out for five sets on Sunday – his four-hour 23-minute third round win over Tommy Paul was the tournament’s third longest.
The 23-year-old will become number one on Sunday if he becomes the first Norwegian man to win a Grand Slam title.
However, with eight of his nine career titles coming on clay, Ruud has been dismissed as a one-surface specialist.
His three titles in 2022, in Buenos Aires, Geneva and Gstaad, were all on clay. Before this year, he had never got past the third round in New York in four visits but making the final in Miami helped convince him that he can be a force on faster courts.
“Reaching that final I think did something with my self-belief but also respect from other players,” said Ruud, the current world number seven.
“Whenever they look at my results, they’ll see, Okay, he made the final of an ATP 1000 on hard court.
“This guy knows to play more than clay. If you can have small percentages of fear or respect in your opponent’s head, it will of course help.”
Ruud’s run to the final has been helped by seeing top seed and defending champion Daniil Medvedev fall in the last-16 and fifth-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas exit in the first round.
Both were in Ruud’s half of the draw.
Ruud believes the key to victory on Sunday will be to push Alcaraz as far back as possible.
“If he steps in, he can do anything with the ball. He can rip a winner. He also has great touch with the dropshot,” said Ruud.
“But if you play with good depth and good length, it’s tougher to hit dropshots. That will be something that I will try to focus on.”
Having won just six games in his French Open final mauling at the hands of Nadal, the Norwegian is happy to be facing a different Spaniard.
“I’m happy that it’s not Rafa on clay,” he said.
– AFP
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