Carlos Alcaraz defeated Norway’s Casper Ruud in the final of the 2022 US Open 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 and 6-3 as the Spanish tennis player claimed his first Grand Slam title, but how did he do it?
The five-set contest lasted for three hours and 20 minutes in New York against the Norwegian, who became the first of his people to reach the championship match.
It was the youngest US Open final since Pete Sampras faced off against Andre Agassi in 1990 as Alcaraz and Ruud combined for an age of 42.
Their youth was on show, as the pair demonstrated a high level of speed, athleticism, power and finesse in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium, and it would be King Carlos who took the first big moment.
Alcaraz stepped it up against Ruud
The Spaniard, who became the World No.1 after the tournament, took his first tiebreak of the competition after saving two set points whilst 5-6 down. In a characteristic show of skill and execution, Alcaraz nailed a drop-shot-lob-overhead combination that saw the crowd rise to their feet following five deuces in the game.
Ruud’s intensity had slipped in the tiebreak as he made six errors, with four of them unforced, and lost seven consecutive points after an ace.
Alcaraz then took advantage to break 4-2 in the fourth set, using backhand winners and earned himself a double Championship Point scenario.
He sealed his first Grand Slam crown with an ace delivered to Ruud’s left side that the despairing Norwegian got a racket to but could not return.
Alcaraz became the winner of the 2022 US Open, it was the first time in his career that he became a Grand Slam champion before winning Wimbledon in 2023.
The 20-year old is the ninth male singles victor from Spain and the first new winner since Rafa Nadal in 2005.