Final day in Rio de Janeiro.
2023 Rio Open presented by Claro, an ATP 500 tournament, on Clay, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 20-26 February 2023.
Defending champion:
Carlos Alcaraz (7) who defeated Diego Schwartzman (3) 6-4 6-2
Final:
Carlos Alcaraz (1) (Spain) v Cameron Norrie (2) (Great Britain)
In the five previous times they met, Alcaraz was victorious in four, including last weeks final in Buenos Aires.
In the opening set, Alcaraz saved a break point in the fifth game, and Norrie saved three break points in the eighth game.
It was 4-4.
Norrie served at 4-5 to stay in the set, and at 40-15 appeared to have done enough.
However, Alcaraz played some outstanding tennis to reach set point.
Norrie responded in kind to save the situation and level at 5-5.
Alcaraz held for 6-5, to again put Norrie under pressure, at the line to stay in the set.
A double fault and loose backhand. 0-30.
Alcaraz in return gifted two points, and then a quality serve gave Norrie game point.
He squandered it with another poor ground stroke.
A wonderful drop shot winner from Alcaraz - set point,
Back hand down the line winner from Alcaraz and the set was his 7-5.
In the opening game of set two, Alcaraz saved two break points before holding serve.
He then broke the Norrie serve and led 2-0.
At 0-3 and 0-30, things looked grim for Norrie, but he not only held serve, but broke Alcaraz in the following game.
Alcaraz anead 3-2, but games back on serve.
Norrie won his fourth game in succession after breaking Alcaraz again - he led 4-3.
Alcaraz broke back for 4-4.
Norrie broke next game and would serve for the set at 5-4.
A love game and Norrie took the set 6-4 to level the match.
The pair exchanged service breaks in games two and three of the decider.
Alcaraz saved a break point in game five with a winning drop shot, but he was broken when Norrie converted a second break point with a forehand passing shot. Norrie ahead 3-2.
Alcaraz broke back and then held to take back the lead 4-3.
Serving at 4-4, Alcaraz saved two break points before holding and led 5-4.
Norrie levelled at 5-5.
Alcaraz was down 0-40 in the next game, but saved all the three break points he faced.
He couldn’t save a fourth break point later in the game and Norrie was a game away from victory.
Alcaraz saved the first match point with a winning backhand, but on the next match point Norrie sealed things with an ace.
Cameron Norrie won a thriller 5-7 6-4 7-5.
This was title number five for Norrie after two losses in finals in 2023. His first title since Lyon in May 2022.
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