IMAGE: Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie celebrates his victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the ATP 500 Rio Open at Jockey Club Brasileiro in Rio de Janeiro, on Sunday. Photograph: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Britain’s Cameron Norrie fought again from a set all the way down to beat world quantity two Carlos Alcaraz 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 in the Rio Open final on Sunday, turning the tables on the 19-year-old Spaniard after dropping to him in the Buenos Aires decider per week in the past.
Norrie, who collected his first ATP title of 2023 and fifth total, appeared to be heading for a second straight defeat to the clay courtroom match’s defending champion when he was damaged in the second set.
But with US Open champion Alcaraz needing his proper leg wrapped halfway via the set Norrie seized the momentum and received 4 straight video games to degree the match.
After twice buying and selling breaks in the third set, Alcaraz saved two break factors in an epic ninth recreation however Norrie transformed a break level alternative on the fourth try in the penultimate recreation earlier than claiming the win on the ATP 500 occasion.
“I used to be wanting completed there and I managed to flick a swap and switch it round, so it was a very good day,” Norrie, who misplaced to Richard Gasquet in the Auckland final final month, stated in remarks offered by the ATP.
“I needed to battle a variety of demons the final couple weeks, however I managed to simply play effectively in the massive moments and that is what it took immediately.”
