New Delhi: Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz defeated Norweigan No.1 player Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-4 and won his first ATP Masters title in the Miami Open 2022 at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, on Monday, April 04, 2022.
He is the third player aged 18 to win the title. Michael Chang, who was 18 years and five months old, won in Toronto in 1990, and Rafael Nadal, 18 years and ten months old, emerged victorious in Monte Carlo in 2005.
The world no.8 Alcaraz played aggressively since its inception and held his serve. He played long rallies and made breakpoints. His forehand smashes led to a tiebreaker at 4-4 in the first set. Though Ruud saved the first serve, he hit a wide. Alcaraz cashed on the opportunity and won the opening set, 7-5.
The second set began with the teenager racing to a 3-0 lead before outclassing the sixth seed 6-4. Alcaraz dominated the game, whereas Ruud tried to gain momentum.
“I have always looked up to Rafa. I always watched his big moments and matches and learned a lot from that,” Alcaraz told the media. Rafael Nadal was among the first people to congratulate him. “Congratulations Carlos Alcaraz, for your historical triumph in Miami. The first of many to come, for sure,” Nadal wrote.
(Avya Mathur)