Alcaraz youngest Miami winner

Final day in Miami.

2022 Miami Open presented by Itaú  - an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, on Hard Laykold, in Miami, Florida, USA, 23 March - 3 April 2022.

Defending champion:

Hubert Hurkacz (26) who defeated Jannik Sinner (21) 7-6(4) 6-4.

Final:

Carlos Alcaraz (14) (Spain) v Casper Ruud (6) (Norway)

The pair had met once before - Alcaraz won a quarter final in Marbella, April 2021, in straight sets.

Alcaraz had won his two previous finals, including the Rio Ooen in February this year,

Ruud had won seven of his nine previous finals, including his second Argentina Open in February this year.

This was the first Masters 1000 final for both players.

Ruud served first, and won the first three games, breaking the initial Alcaraz serve.

The sixth seed saved a break point in game five to maintain the edge and a 4-1 lead.

Alcaraz converted the second of two break points in game seven and then consolidated for 4-4.

Serving at 5-5 and 15-15, Ruud missed with a forehand, and then Alcaraz fired a forehand winner past him to bring up two break points.

One was saved, but on the second Ruud pushed a forehand wide. Alcaraz had broken again for 6-5.

At 40-15, and with two set points, Alcaraz put a backhand long, was passed by a Ruud forehand, and sent a forehand wide. He now faced a break point. It was saved thanks to a good first serve.

A third set point was created by a net winner (set up by a forehand) and the set was won also at the net - after a fine serve. 7-5 to Alcaraz.

In the opening game of set two, Ruud survived four deuces and two break points, but couldn’t escape a third break chance.

2-0 after a love game from Alcaraz.

Alcaraz broke once more for 3-0 and had a firm grip on the match.

Ruud retrieved one of the breaks, but not until Alcaraz had saved five of the break opportunities offered to the Norwegian.

Alcaraz still was In charge 7-5 3-1.

Ruud employed the drop shot to good effect but it wasn’t sufficient to crack the Spanish wall, and Alcaraz strode to within a game of victory.

Ruud held strongly and forced Alcaraz to serve for it at 5-4.

Ruud netted a forehand. 15-0. Backhand return out. 30-0. Forehand return out. Three match points. Backhand winner behind an excellent serve and Carlos Alcaraz won the match 7-5 6-4.

Alcaraz claimed the Miami Open, becoming its youngest ever winner.

At 18, he will move to #11 in the rankings.