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 1-1 Casper Ruud*
Lovely passing shot by Ruud makes it 15-15 and Alcaraz then inexplicably finds the net when a forehand sits up as he comes forward for it. WOW! A return winner from Ruud as he jumps in the air to crunch a backhand straight down the line.
Two BREAK POINTS for the underdog and the first is SAVED by a big serve before the second is also SAVED when Ruud nets a return off another big first save. An ace out wide and then across-court forehand winner seals the hold. Both men have let break points slip in their opening games.
*denotes next to serve
*Carlos Alcaraz 0-1 Casper Ruud
Big, unreturned first serve from Ruud out wide - a good nerve settler to get him to 15-0. He then wins a lengthier rally for 30-0.
Alcaraz gets his first point of the final and then, when Ruud goes long it’s 30-30. Big backhand coming forward and it’s a BREAK POINT for the Spaniard. SAVED! Alcaraz goes just long.
Ooh, that’s not the time for a double fault - second BREAK POINT. Again SAVED as Alcaraz nets from the baseline. Ruud into the net on the next point and produces three brilliant defensive volleys before an overhead finds the court and Alcaraz nets. It’s game point and the Spaniard puts his return long!
Not exactly pretty for the Norwegian but there are no pictures on the scoreboard and he holds serve in the opening game.
*denotes next to serve
Carlos Alcaraz vs Casper Ruud
OK, we’re ready to go at Flushing Meadows. Casper Ruud to serve.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Casper Ruud
Not sure if it was nerves but Ruud sprinted to the baseline from the net and had to be called back as there were still some pre-match formalities to complete. Lovely stuff!
Warm-up is underway now. Remember, Alcaraz leads their head to head 2-0 but a grand slam final is a different beast.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Casper Ruud
The players will be out on the court of Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows imminently. In fact, here they come now.
Ruud is first to be introduced and he salutes the crowd. Carlos Alcaraz nexts out and the roars are even louder - it feels like he’s the crowd favourites.
Warm-ups upcoming and then we’ll be into the match itself.
Casper Ruud laughs off comparisons with Erling Haaland in native Norway
Casper Ruud does not expect to match the popularity of Erling Haaland in his native Norway even if he beats Carlos Alcaraz to win the US Open and become world number one.
The climax to what has been an extraordinary grand slam tournament will be a straight shootout for a maiden major trophy for both men and top spot in the rankings.
Ruud is already the best player in his country’s history having picked up a love of the sport from his father Christian, who was a top-50 player in the 1990s.
US Open: Casper Ruud laughs off comparisons with Erling Haaland in native Norway
Sunday’s final will have a lot on the line for both Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz.
Casper Ruud into US Open final with win over Karen Khachanov
Casper Ruud defeated Karen Khachanov to reach his second grand slam final of the season at the US Open and move to within one result of taking over as world number one.
The Norwegian has not yet become a big name outside tennis but he has grown into one of the most consistent performers in the men’s game and made his first slam final at the French Open this year, losing to Rafael Nadal.
Clay is the 23-year-old’s best surface but he is catching up fast on hard courts and continued his excellent run in New York with a 7-6 (5) 6-2 5-7 6-2 win over Russian Khachanov.
Casper Ruud into US Open final with win over Karen Khachanov
Norwegian Ruud claimed a 7-6 (5) 6-2 5-7 6-2 victory in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Carlos Alcaraz beats Frances Tiafoe to set up Casper Ruud fight for title and world No1 spot
Carlos Alcaraz will take on Casper Ruud for the US Open title and the world number one ranking after beating Frances Tiafoe in another five-set classic to reach his first grand slam final.
The 19-year-old is the youngest man to make a slam final since his fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal won his maiden title at the French Open back in 2005.
Comparisons between the compatriots are inescapable and Alcaraz, who had battled for five sets beyond 2am in his previous two matches, showed Nadal-like powers of mental and physical endurance to recover and beat American Tiafoe 6-7 (6) 6-3 6-1 6-7 (5) 6-3.
Alcaraz beats Tiafoe to set up Casper Ruud fight for title and world No1 spot
Alcaraz survived another marathon match, battling past Tiafoe 6-7 (6) 6-3 6-1 6-7 (5) 6-3.
Alfie Hewett wins men’s wheelchair singles title
Some positive British news from Flushing Meadows, where Alfie Hewett has battled to men’s wheelchair singles glory. He denied Shingo Kunieda the calendar grand slam with a 7-6, 6-1 triumph
Alcaraz and Ruud profiles
So who are Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud? Here’s a little more info on each:
CARLOS ALCARAZ
Seed/Rank: 3/4
Best Previous US Open Result: QF (2021)
Best Previous Grand Slam Result: QF (2021 US Open, 2022 French Open)
Sets Played/Sets Lost: 24/6
Time Spent on Court: 20 hours, 20 minutes
CASPER RUUD
Seed/Rank: 5/7
Previous Best US Open Result: 3R (2020)
Best Grand Slam Result: F (2022 French Open)
Sets Played/Sets Lost: 23/5
Time Spent on Court: 18 hours, 46 minutes
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