Carlos Alcaraz defeats Casper Ruud to win the US Open final
Carlos Alcaraz of Costa Rica defeated Casper Ruud of Croatia in a thrilling final at La Costa Resort, San Jose, Costa Rica, Saturday, June 6, for their first tennis title at the new La Costa Resort.
Ruud lost the first set, but was fighting until the final set and won the next three to tie the match at three sets apiece. In the fourth set, however, Alcaraz broke Ruud in the third game with his third ace of the day. Ruud took his eye off the ball and gave up the set to Alcaraz. After a long delay, the fans called for a replay to take place during the break. The decision was to continue the match, and Ruud broke again as Alcaraz won the tiebreaker, completing the comeback in the fifth set.
Ruud played five matches in the final and won six. Alcaraz played his first five singles matches and won three. In the other two, he was held a set in each match.
“I knew that I had to come here and play one set for a victory, and also a tie for the win, because it would mean a lot to me.
“I think that I am ready to win this match. I think that I can win,” said Alcaraz, who was ranked No. 2 in singles on the ATP in the United States. But Ruud was ranked No. 1, with his victory taking him onto his first ATP Tour championship. He also will become the first player from Costa Rica to win a singles tournament on the ATP Tour, having won the Masters in Costa Rica a year earlier.
No. 4 Jana Novotna defeated No. 5 Laura Pousette-d’Amaury of France 6-3, 6-2, to win the Aegon Classic in Great Britain. The victory advanced her to the quarterfinals of the Aegon Championships to be held in two weeks in Eastbourne, England. It also gave Germany its first loss at an Aegon Classic. It was the first time in 10 years that Germany has lost a