Carlos Alcaraz stuns tennis world in Argentina Open triumph after injury

World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz has made a stunning return from a four-month layoff to win the Argentina Open after defeating Cameron Norrie in the final. The 19-year-old sensation missed the Australian Open this year after withdrawing due to an ongoing leg injury from the end of 2022.

However, after four months on the sideline he returned to Buenos Aires last week at the Argentina Open. And after relinquishing the World No.1 ranking to Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz has made a statement in his return after winning his seventh ATP title having only dropped one set.

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Alcaraz kick-started his 2023 season in brilliant form in his opening three matches before he defeated Norrie in the final 6-3, 7-5. The Spaniard becomes the youngest male winner of the title and has started his season off with a 4-0 record on clay.

The match went with serve up to 3-3 before Alcaraz broke Norrie twice in succession to secure the opening set. Norrie, 27, was also broken in his first service game of the second set en route to going 3-0 down, and although he subsequently broke back at 5-3 and drew things level, it was Alcaraz who then battled through and clinched the win with a further break.

After the match, Alcaraz said he felt good back on the court and was ready for more finals in 2023. "I felt very comfortable playing the final," Spaniard Alcaraz told atptour.com.

"I knew that it was going to be really difficult. I started really focused on what I had to do at the beginning, my game, my level. This is the level that I have to play in finals."

Tennis world lauds Carlos Alcaraz return

Following the match, Alcaraz was complimentary of Norrie and paid his British rival respect after a tough encounter. "I would like to congratulate Norrie on a great week. You are an amazing player and the most important part is you are one of the best guys on Tour...amazing to be with you on court," Alzaraz said.

The tennis world was quick to laud Alcaraz's achievement on his first week back with the feat even more remarkable since the Spaniard dealt with the initial setback as a 19-year-old.

While Alcaraz won his maiden grand slam title on hard court at the US Open, his other six titles have come on clay. The Spaniard will surely head into Roland Garros in 2023 as one of the huge favourites, which will be an interesting storyline considering Djokovic and Rafa Nadal are both fighting for a record 23rd grand slam.

Alcaraz will now defend his Rio De Janeiro title as the No.1 seed at the tournament. Alcaraz will play wildcard Mateus Alves in his opening match.

Last week, Alcaraz signalled his intention to chase down Djokovic and win back the World No.1 ranking. The Spaniard will look to enter Indian Wells as well in an attempt to gain some points before the clay court season.

“It has been a long time [I spent] at No. 1,” Alcaraz added. “Now it’s a goal for me to recover No. 1 and try to do my best in these tournaments to be back on that number. I’m looking for that.” Alcaraz was the youngest year-end No.1 in the history of the ATP rankings.

with AAP

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