(Tennis news) Despite being a set down, Cameron Norrie overcame tournament favourite Carlos Alcaraz 5-7 6-4 7-5 in the Rio Open final on Sunday. It was an apt response by Norrie, who lost to 19 year old Alcaraz at the Argentina Open last week and went on to collect his first ATP title of the year and fifth of his career. The British tennis player was helped by the fact that Alcaraz needed his right leg wrapped midway through the set which swung the momentum in Norrie’s favour as he went on to win four straight games and level the match. 

After trading breaks twice in the third set, Alcaraz managed to save two break points in the ninth game but Norrie fought back to convert a breakpoint opportunity in the penultimate game before sealing the victory. Alcaraz, who has already spent three months on the sidelines due to abdominal and hamstring issues will now look to recover from his upper left leg issue which surfaced during his semi-final victory over qualifier Nicolas Jarry on Saturday.

Speaking after the match, Cameron Norrie said “I was looking done there and I managed to flick a switch and turn it around, so it was a good day. I had to battle a lot of demons the last couple weeks, but I managed to just play well in the big moments and that’s what it took today.” Carlos Alcaraz said “It was the end of two tough weeks of tennis and of course, you’re not at your top [level] physically. I felt something in my leg and that didn’t really help me. Now it’s time to recover. I really like Acapulco. I want to go there and play in front of the Mexican fans.”

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