- Carlos Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud in the final of the US Open 6: 4, 2: 6, 7: 6 (7: 1), 6: 3 and secured his first Grand Slam title.
- With the final victory in New York, the only 19-year-old Spaniard also became the youngest world number 1 ever.
- The inferior Ruud jumped from 7th to 2nd place in the ranking.
At the beginning of the year, Carlos Alcaraz was still world number 32, nine months later “Carlitos” climbed the tennis throne for the first time at the tender age of 19. He does so as the youngest world number 1 since the ranking was introduced in August 1973, replacing Lleyton Hewitt (11/19/2001 aged 20 years and 9 months).
The way to the top was a hard one for the shooting star. After three sometimes epic five-seaters in the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals, Alcaraz was also asked for everything in the final of the US Open against Casper Ruud. Like his opponent, the Norwegian could have won his first major triumph and become world number 1 with a win.
After 3:20 intense hours at Arthur Ashe Stadium, it was Alcaraz who lay down on the New York floor in “Nadal style” and was allowed to celebrate.
Key moment tiebreak 3rd set
Alcaraz and Ruud had met at eye level for long stretches. The Spaniard got off to a better start, an early break to make it 2-1 was enough for him to win the first round. In the second round it was Ruud who grabbed the momentum on his side. The Norwegian took the service from Alcaraz twice and managed to equalize the set.
Although Alcaraz reacted immediately and broke in the third set, Ruud seemed to be the more stable and, above all, the fresher player, both physically and mentally. The 23-year-old fought his way back into the round and won two balls at 6:5 to lead the set 2:1. Alcaraz fended off both break chances with a courageous net game and saved himself in the tie-break.
While Alcaraz recharged his batteries from the loss of a sentence that was averted in extremis, Ruud’s thread broke completely. The Norwegian made unforced mistakes in the multipack in the short decision and almost gave away the tie-break with 1:7.
Unstoppable with leadership behind you
The tiebreak should have been the sticking point. From then on, Alcaraz acted more aggressively again, didn’t allow much on his own serve and also improved on the return. This increase culminated in the 6th game of the 4th round, when the 19-year-old increased to 4:2 with cracking winners and incredible defensive work, bringing his opponent to his knees.
Alcaraz didn’t let the break lead be taken away. A forehand from the Spaniard landed behind the baseline at the first “Championship Point”. On the second, however, he closed the sack with a service winner.