Alcaraz makes history with USO title win over Ruud

Carlos Alcaraz made history on Sunday with a US Open title win over Casper Ruud, claiming his first Grand Slam title and becoming the first teenaged No. 1 since the start of the rankings in 1973..

The 19-year-old Spaniard won the title 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3.

Victory for the heir to Rafael Nadal left the youngster stunned, falling flat on his back on the court when the contest ended. 

Alcaraz came into the final with nearly 20 and a half hours in his legs and added another three hours, 20 minutes to that total.

Norway’s Ruud was playing his second Grand Slam final of the season after falling to Nadal at Roland Garros in June.

The final set records, with two men competing for both their first  Grand Slam title and the No. 1 ranking

It was the first final at a major between two players who’ve never been World No. 1 competing for top ranking.

The pair both paid tribute to local fans on the 21str anniversary of the 9-11 terror attacks which levelled two skyscraper and killed nearly 3,000.

“It’s an emotional day for Americans,” Ruud said. “I send my prayers to everyone who lost a loved one in the tragic incident that happened in this city.

“It is something we will never forget.”

Alcaraz is coached by former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrer, who achieved the position in 2003; Ruud will take over the second ranking spot behind Alcaraz in what could be a new top rivalry,

“This is something that I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid,” Alcaraz said. “To be No. 1 and champion of a Grand Slam.

“It’s tough to talk right now with so many emotions. I’m just 19 so all the tough decisions have been made by my parents and my team.

“This is something very special for me.”

Alcaraz said that despite playing three five-set matches running up to the final, he relied on his endurance to get through the final hurdle.

“I’m tired but I still had a little more to give. You must give everything on the court.

“There is no time now to be tired.”

Fifth seed Ruud announced his intentions early in the match, forcing Alcaraz to save a pair of break points in his first service games. 

But it was his tournament No. 3 Spanish opponent who struck first, with Alcaraz winning seven straight points to level at 1-1 before breaking Ruud for a 2-1 lead.

Alcaraz finished the opening set in 49 minutes with a love game on his first set point, 6-4.

Ruud got his first break of the match and earned a 4-2 lead in the second set; the Norwegian levelled at a set each on his second set point, an overhead winner at the net.

It was the Norwegian’s first winning career set against Alcaraz out of four played in their first two matches,.

The Spaniard answered immediately as he secured a break to start the third but lost it at 2-all. Ruud kept up his level and produced a love game to earn a 6-5 lead against the teeenager.

Alcaraz kept up the fight in the third set, saving two Ruud set points with volley winners and taking the 10-minute 12th game to bring on a tiebreaker.

After losing a pair of tiebreaks in each of his previous two matches, Alcaraz finally had some success, blowing Ruud away with a 7-1 result as he  claimed the 73-minute encounter to take a 2-1 lead on sets.

Alcaraz served up a love game for a 3-2 lead in the fourth set. Ruud reached for a lob but sent it wide to hand Alcaraz a break point – which the youngster gladly took a point later for a 4-2 lead.

With history closing in, Alcaraz dropped to 0-30 but got back to level pegging with his 11th ace, 30-all.

He aced again and claimed 5-2 with a winner off the net cord down the line.

Ruud delivered a love game before Alcaraz served out his historic first; he missed a smash at the net along the way which would have given a match point but wrapped up the win with a 14th ace.

“I’m disappointed that I’m not No. 1 but No. 2 is not too bad either,” runner-up Ruud said.

“I’ll continue to chase my first Grand Slam and the No. 1 ranking.

“I owe a lot to my family – most of whom were in his player box. I can’t  thank them enough, they are the reason that I’m here today,” added he son of former ATP player Christian Ruud.

Alcaraz is the youngest Grand Slam men’s finalist since 2005 Roland Garros champion Nadal (19 years, two days) and the youngest US Open men’s finalist since 1990 champion Pete Sampras (19 years, 28 days).

Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz falls on his back as he wins US Open and becomes World No. 1 – by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd