Casper Ruud claims first ATP title of the season with revenge win over Stefanos Tsitsipas at Barcelona Open
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Published 21/04/2024 at 16:41 GMT
Norway's Casper Ruud lost last weekend at the Monte-Carlo Masters to Stefanos Tsitsipas, and on Sunday in Spain he had the chance to earn some quick revenge at the Barcelona Open. Ruud won the final in straight sets, ending a 10-match winning streak for his opponent, and earning him his first ATP Tour title of the season so far as the first Grand Slam of the season looms.
Watch highlights as Casper Ruud eases into Barcelona Open semi-finals
Casper Ruud defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5 6-3 to win the Barcelona Open on Sunday afternoon.
Tsitsipas was looking to build on last weekend’s success, when he continued his campaign to get back into the top 10 of the men’s rankings, and crossed that threshold as he won the Monte-Carlo Masters for the third time in his career.
For Ruud, the final offered not just the chance to win his first tournament of the year so far, but to also get revenge on his opponent after Tsitsipas defeated him in Monaco.
Tsitsipas overcame Dusan Lajovic, while Ruud beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry in their respective semi-final ties on Saturday, but Tsitsipas may not have been as fresh. The Greek player needed to come back from a set down, while Ruud enjoyed a straight-sets victory.
Ruud also needed just two sets to claim the title in Spain as he won the first set 7-5, with a far more reliable service game.
He took 80% of his first serve points compared to Tstisipas’s 57%, and four double faults from the losing finalist hinted at struggles with his serve.
The second set was easier for Ruud as he grew into a more dominant position, breaking twice to secure a 6-3 margin to wrap up his win as he prepares for the upcoming clay Grand Slam at Roland-Garros in June.
The Norwegian was far more consistent from the baseline than his opponent, and the difference in quality took him to his 11th career ATP Tour trophy.
Reflecting on what had changed in a week, Ruud said after the match: “Just to kind of [bring] it to him a little bit more than last week.
“In the final in Monte-Carlo I was always on the back foot, too far behind, and he had too much time to control the game.
“It was a bit of a tricky start [here], I got broken right away. So not the best start, but I managed to settle in and broke him back. Clutched up and broke him in the end of the first, which was huge.
“It’s been two long weeks for both of us. It’s obvious that at some point fatigue is going to kick in. I think we were both fit enough to play today, it’s not about that, but winning the first set was huge probably for either of us.”
The defeat ends Tsitsipas’s winning streak of 10 matches.
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