World quantity six Casper Ruud defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-3 to win the Barcelona Open on Sunday.
The Norwegian earned revenge after his defeat by the Greek world quantity seven within the Monte Carlo Masters closing final week to assert the most important trophy of his profession.
Ruud, a three-time Grand Slam runner-up, had gained 10 titles at 250 stage with the 500-ranked clay-court occasion in Barcelona his eleventh profession triumph.
“For me it means loads, that is my largest title that I ever gained in my profession, it’s one thing I’ve chased for a very long time already,” Ruud informed Teledeporte.
“I’ve by no means gained a 500 earlier than or a 1000, I’ve been to a couple finals however all the time got here up a bit of bit quick.I didn’t begin nice throughout the match however fortunately I used to be in a position to come again in and play very well in the long run of the primary and the second set,” he stated.
The 25-year-old leads the tour with 29 wins this yr however had misplaced in three finals earlier than wrapping up his first title of 2024 when Tsitsipas, who lacked his standard spark, went lengthy.
“The final six, seven months I’ve taken just a few steps in the appropriate path in my recreation and I’m glad it’s paying off,” added Ruud.
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Ruud conceded a break within the opening recreation, which Tsitsipas consolidated for 2-0, giving the possibility of a repeat of his first-set collapse within the Monte Carlo closing.
Nonetheless, Ruud stayed calm and broke again within the sixth recreation with a passing shot the Greek couldn’t management. The Norwegian introduced up two set factors at 6-5 up, clinching it with a break when Tsitsipas erred on the internet.
Two-time Grand Slam runner-up Tsitsipas slapped a forehand into the online to concede the primary break of the second set and Ruud then held to open up a 4-1 lead.
Tsitsipas saved two break factors within the sixth recreation to present himself an opportunity of a comeback, however couldn’t match Ruud’s vitality after two draining three-set matches in his run to the ultimate.
Ruud’s 91-minute victory ended a 10-match profitable streak for Tsitsipas.