Carlos Alcaraz has earned his first title of 2023…
The 19-year-old Spanish professional tennis player defeated Cameron Norrie in straight sets at the Argentina Open on Sunday to win his first title since his milestone US Open triumph.
The world No. 2 overcame No. 12 Norrie 6-3, 7-5 in the clay-court final.
“I felt very comfortable,” Alcaraz said. “This is the level that I have to play in a final. It is really special, I struggled in these four months.”
A right leg injury sidelined Alcaraz from the Australian Open, with Novak Djokovic reclaiming the No. 1 ranking from Alcaraz after winning the title there.
Alcaraz dropped only one set — to Serbia’s Laslo Djere — in his first tournament of the year.
After winning the first set in 36 minutes, Alcaraz quickly broke second-seeded Norrie in the second set, but the Briton hit back when the Spaniard was serving for the championship at 5-4.
Alcaraz broke Norrie with a drop shot to win the title.
Norrie lost his second final of the year, after being bested by Richard Gasquet in Auckland in January.
Alcaraz next defends his title at the Rio Open.
