Comeback King Cameron Norrie battles past Carlos Alcaraz to clinch Rio Open Title

Cameron Norrie fought back from a set and a break down to beat Carlos Alcaraz 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 in a three-hour Rio Open final on Sunday. The victory gave Norrie his fifth ATP title and his first hardware of the season, while Alcaraz missed out on his second consecutive Rio Open title due to physical issues.

Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed, was looking to defend his Rio Open presented by Claro title on Sunday. In the early stages, he appeared to be on his way to victory as he led Norrie 7-5, 3-0, 0/30. However, Norrie rallied and managed to turn things around.

Resurgence of Norrie

Norrie, the British player, showed his fighting spirit to win the match after two hours and 42 minutes in the ATP 500 final. Norrie’s triumph marked his fifth ATP Tour title and his first hardware of the season. The lefty had lost a couple of finals already this year, and this victory was an emotional win for him.

Speaking after the match, Norrie said, “So special to win this one, especially I’d lost a couple finals already this year and I had to do it the tough way. A set and a break down and 0/30 on my serve, I was looking done there and I managed to flick a switch and turn it around, so it was a good day.”

Physical issues for Alcaraz

In the early stages, Alcaraz was not at his best, but he managed to capture the opening set after he crushed a backhand return winner. However, Norrie never gave up and showed his frustration as he lost an immediate service break in the second set.

Alcaraz’s physical issues also started to become noticeable, as his right leg began to bother him, and his movement and serve became hindered.

Alcaraz tried everything to fight his way to the finish line, from serving and volleying to crushing returns and rushing forward, despite his physical struggles. The World No. 2 played ultra-aggressive tennis to rally from a break down in the third set and put himself within a few more big shots of victory.

From jaw-dropping power from the baseline to making consistent use of his drop shot to end points quickly, the Spaniard kept his hopes of a second consecutive title in Rio de Janeiro alive.

Norrie never panicked

Norrie managed to stay in the match by refocusing just in time in the second set, despite being a set and a break down. He acted as a wall at the back of the court, and he never panicked and let the tidal wave of Alcaraz’s shot-making overwhelm him. After crushing an ace down the T to end the match, Norrie dropped to his knees and let out a roar to celebrate.

Norrie will climb one place to No. 12 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday following his victory in Rio de Janeiro. Meanwhile, Alcaraz missed out on his chance to win his second consecutive Rio Open title due to physical issues.

Norrie showed his fighting spirit and determination by coming from behind to beat Alcaraz in a three-hour Rio Open final. The match was an emotional win for Norrie, who had lost a couple of finals already this year.

Despite Alcaraz’s physical issues, he tried everything to fight his way to victory, but it was Norrie who managed to claim his fifth ATP title.