CNN
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Carlos Alcarz made a stunning comeback from injury to win the Argentina Open on Sunday, defeating Cameron Norris 6-3, 7-5.
Before last week, last year’s US Open champion had been out of action for more than three months as he recovered from hamstring and stomach injuries.
But the 19-year-old, ranked second in the world behind Novak Djokovic, eased back into the competition. tennis In Buenos Aires, dropped just one set during the tournament.
Against Norrie of Great Britain, Alcarez took control of the contest by winning seven consecutive games between the end of the first set and the start of the second.
He failed to serve for the match at 5–3 in the second set but sealed victory three games later with a brilliant forehand drop shot.
“It’s been a great week for me, a dream week after a long time without a competition. To come to Buenos Aires and the level I have shown is amazing and really special. It’s also been an emotional week,” Alcarez said, according to Reuters.
It was the Spaniard’s seventh ATP Tour title and his first since winning the US Open in September – a victory that made him the youngest ever to top the world rankings.
On Sunday, he became the youngest player to win the Argentina Open.
Alcarez added, “I felt very comfortable playing the final.
“I knew it was going to be really difficult. I started to really focus on what I had to do in the beginning – my game, my level. This is the level I have to play in the finals.
On Tuesday, Alcarez will begin his title defense at the Rio Open – the first of five ATP Tour titles to be won in 2022 – as he bids to make up ground on Djokovic at the top of the rankings.
