Carlos Alcaraz news: Spanish teenager creates history with a big win in Rio

Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz’s rise up the ATP rankings continued on Sunday with a stunning win in the final of the Rio Open against Diego Schwartzman.

An emotional Alcaraz sealed a 6-4 6-2 win to claim his first ATP 500 title, becoming the youngster player to win an event at that level of the ATP Tour.

“I can’t believe it, honestly. It has been a great week for me playing a great level,” declared Alcaraz. “First tournament on clay since a long time, so I’m really happy with the performance during the whole week. It’s an amazing feeling right now.

“This is my game. It’s a lot of variety. It’s the key [to how] I won the match. I know how Diego plays and this was really important for me.”

Schwartzman, the 2018 champions in Rio, also reached the final Buenos Aires last week and he is encouraged by his form on the red clay.

“I think the South American clay season gives me a lot of confidence, points and rhythm,” Schwartzman said.

“After Australia, I went back home not feeling very well. Physically I finished not in the best way in the first tournaments of the year. But then I made the semi-finals and two finals in South America, losing against I think the best opponents every tournament.”

https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/1495521806802948097?s=20&t=hLBTedp4bHUNjtiZefJheQ

Alcaraz will move up to No 20 in the latest ATP rankings, with Schwartzman rising one place to No 13.

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