'Extraordinary': Tennis world erupts over never-before-seen moment

Carlos Alcaraz has left the tennis world scrambling for superlatives after defeating Casper Ruud to become the youngest ever Miami Open winner in the history of the tournament.

The 18-year-old Spaniard - who was not even in the top 100 of the world rankings this time a year ago - downed Ruud 7-5 6-4 in the final to cement his status as the game's next big thing.

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Alcaraz's stunning victory saw him outdo the tournament's previous youngest winner, Novak Djokovic - who was 19 when he first won the prestigious tournament.

In fact, only two men have won ATP titles at a younger age than the Spaniard's with Michael Chang claiming the 1990 Toronto tile when he was 18 years and five months old and Rafael Nadal winning the 2005 Monte Carlo crown at 18 years and 10 months.

Making the feat even more special for the teen was the surprise appearance of coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who had just recently lost his father and was not expected to be there for the final.

In a beautiful moment after winning the title, Alcaraz walked straight over and hopped up into the stands to give his coach a massive hug, as Ferrero wiped away tears.

Alcaraz bounced back from a slow start to claim the first set, having been 4-1 down, then broke Ruud twice early in the second en route to sealing victory.

The Spaniard - who is set to move up to 11th in the ATP rankings - said in his on-court interview: “I have no words to describe how I feel right now, but it is so special to win my first Masters 1000 here in Miami.

“I’m so happy with the win and for sure with my team.

“I knew Casper is playing very well, he has a big forehand. I tried to play to his backhand first and tried to go to attack, to not let him dominate the match.”

Fans flooded social media with praise for Alcaraz after the win, as the tennis world celebrated the next superstar of the sport.

Carlos Alcaraz powers his way to Miami title

Alcaraz dropped just one set on the way to his Miami crown and now will head off to compete on his preferred surface of clay buoyed by the biggest win of his career.

Much is expected of Alcaraz whose passionate, all-energy displays in the latter stages of the Miami Open energised the Florida crowd.

It was the more understated Norwegian, 23, however, who made the better start by breaking early and keeping the pressure firmly on his precocious opponent.

Despite the majority of the crowd backing the Spanish player, he was unable to take a break opportunity at 3-1 with Ruud proving he possesses the kind of mental strength to thrive in such high pressure situations.

Yet when another chance came to pierce the world number eight's service game, Alcaraz, who reached the last four in Indian Wells last month, grabbed it before holding his own serve to put a lively first set firmly back in the balance at 4-4.

A blistering forehand set up two more break points and although Ruud saved the first, he then hit wide to put Alacaraz in the driving seat to land the opening set.

Two breaks at the start of the second set further cemented Alcaraz's dominance, the teenager racing into a 3-0 lead which was too tall a mountain for the combative yet ultimately outclassed Ruud.

with agencies

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