Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the championship trophy after his match against Casper Ruud in the men's singles final on Day 14 of the 2022 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Alcaraz defeats Casper Ruud to win U.S. Open, first Grand Slam title

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 9/11/22

On Sunday, Carlos Alcaraz won the Men's U.S. Open singles title, topping Casper Ruud in an exciting back-and-forth battle.

In front of a packed crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Alcaraz fended off a very game Ruud, winning 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3. The 19-year-old became the youngest male to win the U.S. Open since Pete Sampras did it in 1990.

VAMOS! @carlosalcaraz wins the #USOpen in four sets. pic.twitter.com/87HZpoF5V5
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2022

After splitting the first two sets, Alcaraz was in danger of dropping the third set to Ruud. However, Alcaraz survived two set points before taking the set in a tiebreaker.

Alcaraz hits the eraser on set point with a nifty volley. pic.twitter.com/FA7OeBsvGc
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2022

Alcaraz would take care of things in the fourth set, winning the U.S. Open title with an emphatic ace.

The dream becomes reality.@carlosalcaraz is a Grand Slam champion. pic.twitter.com/sPFaAiVFNR
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2022

"Well, this is something that I dreamed of since I was a kid," Alcaraz said after winning the U.S. Open. "It's something I worked really hard (for). It's tough to talk right now, a lot of emotions."

With the U.S. Open win, Alcaraz becomes the youngest male to be ranked No. 1 in the world. Alcaraz bests the previous record holder, Lleyton Hewitt, who was No. 1 in 2001.

Youngest ATP World No. 1 in history:

Carlos Alcaraz, 19yo

Lleyton Hewitt, 20yo
Marat Safin, 20yo
John McEnroe, 21yo
Andy Roddick, 21yo
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) September 11, 2022

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