Replacing Novak Djokovic As Youngest Champion At Miami Open, Carlos Alcaraz: Very Special

Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz wins the 2022 Miami Open. (Photo: Instagram @carlitosalcarazz)

JAKARTA - Tennis player from Spain, Carlos Alcaraz Garfia, set a record when he won the 2022 Miami Open. He became the youngest champion to replace Novak Djokovic after a 7-5 6-4 win over world number eight Norwegian Casper Ruud in the final, Sunday, April 3 local time.

As well as becoming the youngest ever champion, the 18-year-old won his first ATP Masters 1000 crown. He is also the first Spaniard to win at Miami in the last eight events.

"I have no words to describe how I feel. But it's very special to win my Masters 1000 here in Miami," said Alcaraz as quoted by Reuters from Reuters.

In this match, Alcaraz came under pressure from Ruud at the start of the match. However, he bounced back from 1-4 down to take the opening set.

From there, Alcaraz did not want to let go of control by doing a double-break to lead 3-0 at the start of the second set. In this set, Ruud managed to pull a point back but ended up being unable to do much as Alcaraz kept pushing.

With victory in hand, Alcaraz has dropped just two points in his last three service games. He calmly served in the final game of the one-hour 52 minute match.

"I know Casper is playing great. He has a great forehand. I tried to play his backhand first and attack all the time," said Alcaraz.

"I tried not to let him dominate the match. Forehand from behind the line, backhand from behind the line is key for me," he continued.

The win was Alcaraz's third ATP Tour title after winning the Rio Open in February and the Umag tournament last July. He was then the youngest ever touring-level champion since Kei Nishikori won the Delray Beach tournament in 2008.