US Open final LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz beats Casper Ruud to win maiden grand slam and become world No 1
Live updates from Flushing Meadows in New York as Alcaraz wins his first grand slam and rises to the top of the rankings
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Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz beat Norway’s Casper Ruud 6-4 2-6 7-6(1) 6-3 in the US Open final to win his maiden grand slam title and rise to world number one for the first time.
Alcaraz, 19, fell to his back and cupped his hands to his face, rolling over before jumping up to offer a hug at the net to Ruud.
The electrifying Alcaraz, who thrilled fans over the two-week tournament in New York with his acrobatic shot-making, youthful vigour and late-night finishes, replaced Russian Daniil Medvedev at the top of the rankings.
Alcaraz is the youngest-ever world number one since ATP rankings began in 1973.
Relive a captivating men’s singles final:
Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 1-1 Casper Ruud*
Alcaraz is looking fired up here. Moves Ruud around the court and fist pumps, with a look up to his box, when he finishes the point with a strong volley. An ace down the ‘T’ completes a love hold.
You feel he’s moving through the gears.
*denotes next to serve
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 0-1 Casper Ruud
How will Casper Ruud respond to that first-set disappointment? He could probably do with a simple opening service game but instead Alcaraz gives himself a sniff by coming forward at the perfect time to make it 30-30.
Ooof! Crunching cross-court forehand from Ruud is a clean winner - fighting fire with fire - and a heavy first serve on the next point prompts the Sapniard to net. Hold to 30.
*denotes next to serve
Carlos Alcaraz 6-4 Casper Ruud* - ALCARAZ WINS THE FIRST SET
Alcaraz showing no fear as he quickly makes it 30-0 and Ruud then nets a return to give the Spaniard THREE SET POINTS!
He only needs one! A serve out wide and Ruud’s backhand hits the top third of the net. Big fist pump as ALCARAZ WINS THE FIRST SET.
*denotes next to serve
*Carlos Alcaraz 5-4 Casper Ruud
Ruud will want to at least make Alcaraz serve this out. Races into a 40-0 lead and then comfortably converts for a hold to 15. Can Alcaraz do the business on his own serve?
*denotes next to serve
Carlos Alcaraz 5-3 Casper Ruud*
New balls as we’ve completed seven games. Perhaps a very slight advantage for Alcaraz as he serves.
Nice sportsmanship from Ruud as he concedes a point after a double bounce near the net that wasn’t spotted by the umpire. Shades of the Andy Murray vs Francisco Cerundolo match from earlier in the tournament.
Good immediate karma for the Norwegian as he wins the next two points but Alcaraz gets a rare ace into the body before digging out a forehand volley winner and then crushing a backhand down the line for a hold to 30. One game needed for the first set
*denotes next to serve
*Carlos Alcaraz 4-3 Casper Ruud
After both men’s (understandable) nerves on serve early in this set, they’ve settled down into a rhythm. Ruud holds to 15 with minimal fuss. Alcaraz to serve with the opportunity to move within a game of the first set.
*denotes next to serve
Carlos Alcaraz 4-2 Casper Ruud*
Great stuff from Alcaraz, moves Ruud side to side and then finishes the point with a lovely backhand volley at the net. Moves 40-15 ahead as a wide serves puts him in control and although the Norwegian has a sniff at 40-30 that’s snuffed out by an ace down the ‘T’.
*denotes next to serve
*Carlos Alcaraz 3-2 Casper Ruud
Finally a more straightforward service game for Ruud as he holds to love. Still just the single break of serve behind.
*denotes next to serve
Carlos Alcaraz 3-1 Casper Ruud*
Alcaraz starting to settle into a groove. Races into a 30-0 lead on his own serve although Ruud digs out an incredible half-volley at the net - how did he get there (!) - to win his first point and then a missed drop shot makes it 30-30.
The power from both men is incredible! Alcaraz eviscerates a forehand but Ruud gets it into the open court to bring up a BREAK POINT! Well SAVED by Alcaraz with the forehand pass. He then takes the next two points for a hold.
We’ve had break points in every game but Alcaraz holds the advantage.
*denotes next to serve
*Carlos Alcaraz 2-1 Casper Ruud - ALCARAZ BREAKS SERVE
Oooh, an unfortunate net cord for Ruud as he looks set to put away a volley but the deflected ball skips under his racket. Messes up a drive volley and it’s 0-30.
WHAT A POINT! Incredible court coverage and athleticism from both men ends with Alcaraz expertly putting away a volley. 0-40 and three BREAK POINTS. Alcaraz goes long with the first but attacks the second serve, Ruud goes wide and ALCARAZ BREAKS RUUD!
*denotes next to serve
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