(Rio de Janeiro) The Briton Cameron Norrie beat Sunday 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, world No.2, in the final of the ATP 500 tournament in Rio de Janeiro (clay), in the outcome of an undecided match where the two players multiplied the breaks.
Alcaraz, recent winner against the same Norrie of the Buenos Aires tournament, will thus not have managed to retain his title in Rio.
During a match with twists and turns, the young Spanish star showed signs of nervousness then fatigue, visibly bothered by a painful right thigh.
Becoming the youngest No.1 in the world at 19 after his victory at the United States Open last year, Alcaraz was then forced to stop for several months to treat an injury to his right leg, notably missing the Open. from Australia.
PHOTO BRUNA PRADO, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Carlos Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic, winner in Melbourne, had then robbed him of first place.
Since his return to Buenos Aires a fortnight ago, the Spaniard had confirmed his good form by qualifying in Rio for a second final in a row after eight consecutive victories.
But Norrie, 13e world player, interrupted the series and showed that Alcaraz was still fragile physically, even nervously.
The 27-year-old Briton wins the fifth tournament of his career in Rio and is now only four wins to two in his confrontations against the Spaniard, after having already beaten him in Cincinnati (United States) on hard last year.
“I managed to turn the game around several times,” Norrie said after his victory. “Playing against Carlos is always very difficult”.
Breaks galore
During the first set, Norrie managed to save several break points on his serve but could not prevent Alcaraz from finally winning 7-5.
The Briton then put pressure on his opponent early in the second set, forcing him to save two break points on his serve.
He lost focus after a crash, however, and let the Spaniard lead 3-0. Then it was Alcaraz’s turn to make mistakes, which Norrie converted into four straight game winners.
Thanks to a final break and a final ace, it was the Briton who pocketed the set.
The last round started on a similar basis: initially down 2-0, Norrie took advantage of his opponent’s numerous unforced errors to regain the lead 3-2.
Opposite, the world No.2 showed signs of nervousness, hitting his bag with his racket when changing sides and then tearing off a strap on his right thigh in the middle of the exchange which seemed to bother him.
He also multiplied the amortizations to try to limit the duration of the exchanges, but without preventing the return of Norrie.
Alcaraz nevertheless made some classy actions, including a backhand passing on the line to unbreak at 3-3, followed by a shutout.
Increasingly tired over the last set, the young Spaniard went so far as to serve with a spoon to surprise his opponent. Without success.
At 6-5, he managed to save a match point before having to give up his title to Cameron Norrie.
“It’s very special to win this match, especially after losing two finals,” savored the Briton. “I had to fight a lot of demons, but I managed to play well in the big moments, that’s why I won”.