Carlos Alcaraz has used his combination of moxie and maturity to beat Casper Ruud 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 in the US Open final to earn his first grand slam title at age 19 and become the youngest man to be ranked world number one.
Appearing in just his eighth major tournament and second at Flushing Meadows, Alcaraz has already attracted plenty of attention as someone considered the next big thing in men's tennis.
He was serenaded by choruses of "Olé, Olé, Olé! Carlos!" that reverberated off the closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium — and Alcaraz often motioned to the supportive spectators to get louder.
He only briefly showed signs of fatigue from having to get through three consecutive five-setters to reach the title match, something no one had done in New York in 30 years.
Alcaraz dropped the second set and faced a pair of set points while down 6-5 in the third. But he erased each of those point-from-the-set opportunities for Ruud with the sorts of quick-reflex, soft-hand volleys he repeatedly displayed.
And with help from a series of shanked shots by a tight-looking Ruud in the ensuing tiebreaker, Alcaraz surged to the end of that set.
One break in the fourth was all it took for Alcaraz to seal the victory in the only grand slam final between two players seeking both a first major championship and the top spot in the ATP's computerised rankings, which date to 1973.
Ruud, the 23-year-old from Norway, is now 0-2 in slam finals. He was the runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the French Open in June.
Ruud stood way back near the wall to return serve, but also during the course of points, much more so than Alcaraz, who attacked when he could.
Alcaraz went after Ruud's weaker side, the backhand, and found success that way, especially while serving.
Alcaraz certainly seems to be a rare talent, possessing an enviable all-court game, a blend of groundstroke power with a willingness to push forward and close points with his volleying ability. He won 34 of 45 points when he went to the net.
He is a threat while serving — he delivered 14 aces at up to 128mph on Sunday -- and returning, earning 11 break points, converting three.
When one last service winner glanced off Ruud's frame, Alcaraz dropped to his back on the court, then rolled over onto his stomach, covering his face with his hands.
Then he went into the stands for hugs with his team, including coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former number one himself who won the French Open in 2003 and reached the final of that year's US Open.
You only get to number one for the first time once. You only win a first grand slam title once. But many folks expect Alcaraz to be celebrating these sorts of feats for years to come.
Look back at how the action unfolded in our live blog.
Key events
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Live updates
By Dean Bilton
That's all from New York!
It's been an unforgettable US Open. From the magic of Serena's early run, to the Nick Kyrgios-Ajla Tomljanovic show, to Iga Swiatek's dominant win in the women's singles all the way to the crowning of men's tennis's new king.
It's Carlos Alvarez's day, and it may well be his era. Thanks for joining me this morning, we will see you next time!
By Dean Bilton
Carlos Alcaraz gets his hands on the silverware!
By Dean Bilton
Carlos Alcaraz will receive his trophy
It's hard to fathom what this moment must be like for a teenager.
"This is something I have dreamed of since I was a kid. To be champion of a grand slam is something I worked very hard for. It's tough to talk right now, there's a lot of emotions right now.
"All the hard work with my team and my family. I am just 19, so the tough decisions are with my parents and my team. This is something that is very special to me.
"I always say there is no time to be tired. You have to give everything you have inside."
By Dean Bilton
Presentation time
Casper Ruud is awarded a standing ovation after a fine tournament and an excellent final performance.
"It's tough to explain everything. Things have been going so well, and today was a special day for both Carlos and I. We knew what was at stake, and it's fun that both finalists will be one and two in the world tomorrow.
"I'm disappointed of course that I'm not number one, but number two is not too bad either. I will continue to chance my first grand slam and the number one ranking."
By Dean Bilton
The two best players in the world
That's what the rankings say at least. Casper Ruud will have to settle for number two, but he too is destined for so much more in this sport. Two grand slam finals, two runners-up for Ruud in 2022. But it's only the beginning for the Norwegian.
By Dean Bilton
Carlos Alcaraz wins the US Open!
The 19-year-old Spanish phenom is the US Open champion and the youngest world number one in history!
This thrilling young athlete is destined for many of these nights, but this one - his first ever grand slam - will be one he will never forget. He climbs the stands to celebrate with his box before returning to centre court to soak up the adulation.
Carlos Alcaraz, a name to remember, beats Casper Ruud 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 to win the US Open.
By Dean Bilton
Fourth set (1-2): Ruud 3-5 Alcaraz*
Carlos Alcaraz is serving for the title.
ACE. 15-0.
Wonderful tennis from Alcaraz! The forehand forced Ruud so wide, and opened the door for that delicate volley winner. 30-0. Nearly there.
Oh boy! Alcaraz has blown the easiest putaway smash of the night. That's what nerves can do. 30-15.
ACE. 40-15. Two. Championship. Points.
Alcaraz sends it long. 40-30. Championship point number two.
By Dean Bilton
Fourth set (1-2): Ruud* 2-5 Alcaraz
Here we go. Is this the game? Is history about to be made? Casper Ruud to serve to stay in the match.
15-0. Alcaraz's backhand catches the net.
Ruud is in no mood. Big serve, and he belts the volley to put the point away. 30-0.
Another unreturnable serve. 40-0. You're gonna have to earn this, Carlito.
A rapid hold of serve from Casper Ruud, who now needs a break or this one is all over.
By Dean Bilton
Fourth set (1-2): Ruud 2-4 Alcaraz*
He's so close he can just about taste it. Carlos Alcaraz to serve now. Can he hold his nerve?
Great defence from Ruud! Alcaraz had to go for the all-or-nothing cross-court forehand and missed it. 0-15.
Alcaraz butchers the serve-volley! And at 0-30, it's game on again.
That's how you respond. Clinical forehand winner down the line from Alcaraz. 15-30.
Ace. 30-30. Ice cold from Carlos Alcaraz.
ACE. The teenager is meeting his moment. 40-30.
BANG. Alcaraz spanks another winner down the line, holds his serve and moves within one game of the US Open title.
By Dean Bilton
Fourth set (1-2): Ruud* 2-3 Alcaraz
Neither of these men have looked like flinching in the fourth set yet.
But that's a statement from Alcaraz! He gets half a look at a backhand down the line and cashes in. Wonderful shot, 0-15.
Ruud responds with an excellent serve. 15-15.
Alcaraz steps into the backhand and lets rip! 15-30.
He bit off too much that time though. Went for the big forehand but it was never on. 30-30.
Ruud misses the putaway smash! Alcaraz rewarded for refusing to give up on that point! 30-40, break point Alcaraz...
And he's got it! Carlos Alcaraz gets the break of serve and is two games away from the US Open title!
By Dean Bilton
Fourth set (1-2): Ruud 2-2 Alcaraz*
Two scorching aces open the game for Alcaraz. 30-0.
Make that three. Good heavens. 40-0.
And then a double fault. Of course. 40-15.
Ruud flays a forehand long and Alcaraz takes care of his business with ease. We are still on serve in the fourth set.
By Dean Bilton
Fourth set (1-2): Ruud* 1-2 Alcaraz
Ruud opens up his service game with a perfect serve-volley. Not even the electric Alcaraz could track that one down. 15-0.
It's a slugfest now. Ruud upping the tempo, letting those forehands rip. 30-15.
Serves like that don't hurt either. 40-15.
And an ace seals it for Ruud. Good hold, as this match ticks past the three-hour mark.
By Dean Bilton
Fourth set (1-2): Ruud 1-1 Alcaraz*
Carlos Alcaraz has his mojo back big time. He's out to 30-0, and it's from a mix of powerful serving and relentless ground strokes.
Not much you can do about a serve and forehand like that. 40-15.
And he wraps it up with another killer serve. The players will have a quick break, change ends and unleash some new balls.
By Dean Bilton
Fourth set (1-2): Ruud* 0-1 Alcaraz
Ruud was strong on serve in the third set, but the atmosphere inside the arena has shifted now. This will be a test of his mettle.
A rare Ruud ace makes it 30-15.
Delightful stuff from Ruud, mixing power and poise to force Alcaraz back and then finish off at the net. 40-15.
A strong hold of serve from Casper Ruud. Just what he needed. He's not going to go down without a fight.
By Dean Bilton
Fourth set (1-2): Ruud 0-0 Alcaraz*
Carlos Alcaraz will serve first in the fourth set.
That was quite something from Casper Ruud, who surprised Alcaraz with the power on some of those ground strokes. 0-15.
Ruud makes his way to the net and forces Alcaraz to make the play. He misses out. 0-30.
So often when Alcaraz has been in trouble, he's leaned on that big first serve and volley. It works again. 15-30.
And again. 30-30.
A long rally there, Alcaraz had to be patient. And he was. He's turned this game around, 40-30.
What a stunning way to hold serve! Alcaraz looked beaten on his forehand side, but the depth on that recovery shot made it impossible for Ruud to return. From 0-30 down, Alcaraz holds and maintains his grip on this match.
By Dean Bilton
Carlos Alcaraz wins the third set! He leads 2-1!
A marathon third set, in which Alcaraz at times looked to be hanging on, ends with the Spaniard taking the tiebreak 7-1 and with some sort of authority. The crowd is in this, Alcaraz is riding a wave of emotion and is just a set away from his first grand slam and the world's number one ranking.
Huge, huge stuff from the 19-year-old.
