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Friday, March 29, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz defeats Casper Ruud to win US Open after thrilling final

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Carlos Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud in a pulsating US Open final to claim his first Grand Slam title in the early hours of Monday morning.

The Spaniard won 6-4, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, prevailing in a 73-minute third set on his charge to victory. Alcaraz was on the brink of falling to a 3-0 deficit after surrendering the second set but held his nerve and broke back to force a tiebreak.

The third seed – who reached the final with a thrilling five-set triumph over American Frances Tiafoe – dismantled fifth-seed Ruud in the tiebreak, winning 7-1 as the momentum shifted drastically in his favour. Alcaraz served beautifully in the fourth set and produced some sublime defensive shots to break midway through.

It was the 19-year-old’s first Grand Slam final, with his previous best finish at a major coming in the quarter-finals at the US Open in 2021 and the French Open this year. 23-year-old Ruud, meanwhile, was aiming to go one better than he did earlier at Roland Garos, where he fell to Rafael Nadal in the 2022 final.

However, it was not to be for the Norwegian, who could only look on as Alcaraz fell to the ground in delight after claiming the fourth and deciding set 6-3 with a booming serve. The teenager’s victory means he claims the world number one ranking, and he dove into the crowd to celebrate with his family and Juan Carlos Ferrero, who has coached him since he was 16 years old.

Alcaraz soaked up the atmosphere and saluted the sell-out crowd before sinking to his chair to take the moment in.

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