ATP London, Great Britain

Carlos Alcaraz wins Queen's Club for first title on grass, reclaims top ranking ahead of Wimbledon

The 20-year-old Spaniard overcame an impressive challenge from Alex De Minaur and is set to return to the top of the ATP rankings on Monday.

By Associated PressPublished June 25, 2023

MATCH POINT: C. Alcaraz def. A. de Minaur; London F0:45

WATCH: Alcaraz won his fifth title of the season at Queen's Club in straight sets.

LONDON (AP)—Carlos Alcaraz won the Queen's Club Championships final on Sunday for his first ATP title on grass and reclaimed the top ranking, ensuring he will enter Wimbledon next month as the No. 1 seed.

Despite struggling at times in the first set, Alcaraz beat Alex De Minaur 6-4, 6-4 for his fifth title of the year and 11th overall.

Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, kisses the trophy after defeating Alex de Minaur, of Australia, 6/4, 6/4 in the mens singles final match at the Queens Club tennis tournament in London, Sunday, June 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) — © Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

That saw the 20-year-old Spaniard move above Novak Djokovic in the rankings and confirmed the U.S. Open champion as a serious challenger to the Serbian's crown at Wimbledon. Alcaraz lost in the fourth round to Jannik Sinner last year.

Sunday's final was Alcaraz's first on grass, in only the third tournament of his young career on the surface.

He had to save two break points in the eighth game of the first set, broke in the next game and then served out for the set.

Alcaraz won the only break point of the second set, when De Minaur double-faulted, and sealed the title on his first match point when the Australian sent a return long.