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The 18-year-old Alcaraz earned his first ATP Masters 1000 crown
and is the first Spanish man to triumph in Miami after eight
previous final appearances by his compatriots, including five by
Rafa Nadal.
"I have no words to describe how I feel," Alcaraz said after he
replaced Novak Djokovic as the youngest champion in the
37-year-old tournament's history. "But it's so special to win my
Masters 1000 here in Miami."
Alcaraz was roughed up by Ruud in the early stages of the match
between the two up-and-coming players but roared back from a 4-1
deficit to take the opener with an overhead smash on his third
set point.
From there, the Spaniard refused to relinquish control as he
went up a double-break for an early 3-0 lead in the second set
where Ruud managed to get one back but ultimately had no answer
as Alcaraz kept up the pressure in a match that featured two
first-time ATP Masters 1000 finalists.
With victory within his grasp, Alcaraz dropped just two points
in his final three service games and coolly served out the one
hour, 52 minute match to love in the final game.
"I knew that Casper is playing unbelievable. He has a big
forehand. I tried to play to his backhand first and attack all
the time," said Alcaraz.
"I tried not to let him dominate the match. Forehand down the
line, backhand down the line was a key for me."
The victory marked Alcaraz's third ATP Tour title following
triumphs at the Rio Open in February and his win at Umag last
July when he became the youngest tour-level champion since Kei
Nishikori won at Delray Beach in 2008.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in TorontoEditing by Toby Davis)
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