Casper Ruud claimed victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas in a straight-set triumph at the Barcelona Open, marking a satisfying turnaround for the Norwegian player. After suffering defeat against Tsitsipas in the Monte Carlo Masters just a week earlier, Ruud secured a decisive 7-5, 6-3 win to clinch his 10th ATP title on clay.
“This victory has truly been worth the wait,” Ruud expressed after achieving the most significant title of his career, having previously won ATP 250 tournaments exclusively.
Reflecting on his past struggles in higher-level finals, Ruud admitted relief in overcoming this obstacle. “Losing several tough finals in the past has been disappointing. However, any final appearance is a positive outcome for the week. Nonetheless, this victory has been a long time coming.”
Ruud’s victory also put an end to Tsitsipas’ 10-match winning streak. Despite Tsitsipas taking an early lead with a break, Ruud quickly found his rhythm, employing effective baseline tactics to frustrate his opponent.
Throughout the second set, Ruud maintained control and did not face any break points. “In the Monte Carlo final, I was always playing catch-up, allowing Tsitsipas too much control. It was a challenging start here as well, getting broken early. However, I settled in and managed to break back,” Ruud explained.
With this win, Ruud aims to enhance his prospects of claiming the ultimate prize in claycourt tennis, following his runner-up finishes to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the French Open in recent years.
WHAT. A. WEEK. 🏆 📸
ATP 500 Champion has a nice ring to it ✨ @bcnopenbs | #BCNOpenBS | @CasperRuud98 pic.twitter.com/wkXGTYYZR9
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 21, 2024
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