US Open 2022: Carlos Alcaraz wins first Grand Slam, becomes youngest world No.1

Bengaluru, September 12:Carlos Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud 66-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 to win his first major at the US Open and make history in moving to the top of the ATP world rankings.

Either Alcaraz or Ruud would have taken the world number one spot had they won at Flushing Meadows, and it was the 19-year-old who prevailed in four sets on Sunday.

The teenager - the second-youngest New York champion of the Open Era after Pete Sampras - therefore became the youngest ever men's number one.

US Open 2022: It's Carlos Alcaraz vs Casper Ruud US Open 2022: It's Carlos Alcaraz vs Casper Ruud

Alcaraz had come through five-set matches in each of the prior three rounds, and he was again worked hard by Ruud - the new number two.

Ultimately, though, the highly talented Spaniard had the staying power to win his first Grand Slam title, becoming the first teenager to do so since Rafael Nadal at the 2005 French Open, while he while he also becomes the youngest US Open winner since Pete Sampras, 19, in 1990.

Dream come true

"It's something I have dreamt of since I was a kid. To be No. 1 in the world, to be champion of a Grand Slam, is something I have worked really, really hard for," Alcaraz said during the trophy ceremony.

"It's tough to talk right now, I've lots of emotions. This is something I've tried to achieve. All the hard work I've done with my team and my family. I'm just 19 years old, all the tough decisions have been with my parents and my team as well. It's something that's really special for me."

Marathon man

Alcaraz won three consecutive five-set matches to reach his first Grand Slam final, spending 20 hours and 19 minutes on court across six matches en route to the final. However, he showed little sign of tiredness to defeat Ruud.

"There's no time to be tired in the final rounds of a Grand Slam. You've to be ready and give everything you've inside. It's something I work really hard for," Alcaraz said.

Ruud fights

Despite the draining efforts of previous nights, Alcaraz made a rapid start, quickly forging three break points in the third game of the match and taking the second of them.

Ruud did little else wrong in the first set but had to bide his time to respond, losing the opener and fending off an opportunity for a break in the second before immediately applying pressure going the other way.

Ruud is No.2

Ruud, who was competing in his second major final after losing to Nadal at Roland Garros in June, was also bidding to become the 28th player and first Norwegian to jump to No. 1.

The fifth seed, who captured his 44th tour-level win of the season when he downed Karen Khachanov in the semifinals, was unable to cope with Alcaraz's aggressive net play and relentless pressure during the crucial moments. For him the consolation is being the new world No.2.

(With ATP Media/OPTA inputs)