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Carlos Alcaraz breezes past Cameron Norrie to claim victory at Argentina Open final in Buenos Aires
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Published 19/02/2023 at 21:54 GMT
Carlos Alcaraz has won his first title since last year's US Open. The 19-year-old Spaniard, who started the season with a hamstring injury managed to brush aside Great Britain's Cameron Norrie in a 6-3 7-5 win to take home the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires. The 2023 French Open will be live on discovery+, the Eurosport app, and at eurosport.co.uk.
Highlights: Alcaraz beats Norrie in straight sets to claim ATP Buenos Aires title
Video credit: SNTV
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Cameron Norrie in the final of the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires.
The world No. 2 managed to seal the title with a 6-3 7-5 win.
The final was Alcaraz's first since the US Open in 2022. The 19-year-old started the year as the youngest ever world No. 1, but, due to a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the Australian Open, he lost top spot to Novak Djokovic. The victory in Argentina means that he is now within 590 points of the Serbian in the rankings.
The beginning of the first set was an even affair but at 3-3, Alcaraz started to pull away, getting out of second gear, and dominating his opponent with his racquet speed. Norrie was unable to cope and the Spaniard took the first set 6-3.
Alcaraz continued his dominance in the second set, gaining a 3-0 lead on Norrie with effortless backhands.
The Brit however, was never out of it, and managed to claw his way back to 5-5 after Alcaraz missed the opportunity to win the match with an uncharacteristically long serve.
He managed not to lose his cool though, securing the final set 7-5 to win the title.
"I felt very comfortable playing the final," Alcaraz said after his victory.
"I knew that it was going to be really difficult. I started really focussed on what I had to do at the beginning, my game, my level. This is the level that I have to play in finals."
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Watch as Alcaraz lifts trophy after beating Norrie in ATP Buenos Aires final
Video credit: SNTV
Alcaraz also gave a shout out to his opponent, saying: "I'd like to congratulate Norrie for a great week. You are an amazing player, a really, really tough player to play, and the most important part [is that] you are one of the best guys on [the] tour. A player and a guy I can share moments with, so it is amazing to be with you on the tour, to play against you."
Norrie also used his chance to speak to congratulate Alcaraz, saying: "It's never easy coming back after an injury, and it's nice to see your face again on the tour. We missed you. Not so much on the court, but missed seeing you around. Well done this week."
Daniil Medvedev also returned to winning ways, defeating Jannik Sinner 5-7 6-2 6-2 in the final of the Rotterdam Open to take home his 16th tour-level title.
The victory means that Medvedev will return to the top 10 of the ATP rankings on Monday.
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Medvedev beats Sinner in three sets in final of Rotterdam Open
Video credit: SNTV
“It’s great because it’s still the beginning of the year,” he said after the match. “My third tournament of the year, and already a title. Last year I needed 12 tournaments or something like this. Beating great players, playing great here.
“Mentally it’s tough to come back after you [drop out] of the Top 10… I’m just happy to find my form and am looking forward to the next tournament and hopefully I can continue in this way.”
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The 2023 Australian Open was live and the French Open will follow on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk
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