Cameron Norrie wins epic Rio Open final against injured but fighting Carlos Alcaraz in dramatic match

ByNigel Chiu

Updated 27/02/2023 at 07:58 GMT

Cameron Norrie beat Carlos Alcaraz in a Rio Open final that had pretty much everything. Norrie looked out of it when he was a set down and on the verge of being broken for a second time in the second set. However, he dug deep and battled back, taking advantage of an injury to Alcaraz which he suffered in the middle of the match. It was the first title for Norrie at ATP 500 level.

Cameron Norrie won an epic Rio Open final against a battling Carlos Alcaraz to claim the fifth ATP title of his career.

Norrie was a set and a break down, but came back to get revenge from his Argentina Open final defeat to Alcaraz last week by winning 5-7 6-4 7-5 victory in two hours and 40 minutes.

It moved Norrie up to 12th in the ATP standings, whilst Alcaraz suffered an injury to his right leg during the match and will await an assessment about his fitness.

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“So special to win this one, especially when I lost a couple finals this year,” said Norrie.

“I had to do it the tough way. I was looking done there and I managed to flick a switch and turn it around.

“I had to battle a lot of demons the last couple of weeks [on the clay] but I managed to play well in the big moments and that’s what it took today.”

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The opening four games were comfortably held on serve, before Norrie had the first break point chance in fifth game but couldn’t take it

Alcaraz then had three break point chances, but Norrie brilliantly got himself out of trouble with some great hitting to make it 4-4.

Two games later, Norrie was serving to stay in the set and faced a set point after a delicate drop shot from Alcaraz. However, he dug deep under the pressure again and was able to level the scores.

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At 6-5, Alcaraz played another delightful drop shot to give himself a second set point chance and this time he took it with a big passing return.

Norrie came flying out of the blocks and created two break point chances but Alcaraz delivered some big serves to win the game.

Then, Alcaraz broke Norris himself and took a 3-0 lead as the match appeared to be going the way of the Spaniard.

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In the fourth game of the set, Norrie trailed 0-30 on his serve but won four points in a row to comeback and broke his opponent in the next game as the momentum suddenly shifted.

Incredibly, Norrie made it four consecutive games to lead 4-3 with a break but Alcaraz broke back immediately.

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But, Norrie kicked on again to win two games and took the match to a decider.

At the changeover, Alcaraz’s right thigh was heavily strapped up but it didn’t stop him from repeating his sensational start from the previous set as he broke Norrie to go 2-0 up.

However, Norrie fought back with a break of his own and it was soon 2-2. The British No. 1 broke Alcaraz for a second time, despite some great drop shots from the US Open champion to try and resist the pressure.

The rollercoaster continued though when Alcaraz broke back to make it 3-3 with some outstanding returning as he had what appeared to be a heated discussion with his team.

An incredible game at 4-4 saw Alcaraz play more aggressive tennis, an underarm serve and Norrie fail to capitalise on two break points.

He had three more break point chances at 0-40 up at 5-5 and couldn’t take them too, before a moment of controversy when Norrie thought an outstanding Alcaraz forehand was out, but it was declared in, and replays showed it was in.

Eventually, at the fourth time of asking Norrie made the break and served out the match to win his first event at ATP 500 level.

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The 2023 Australian Open was live and the French Open will follow on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

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