BARCELONA, April 22: Casper Ruud took his revenge against Stefanos Tsitsipas by winning the Barcelona Open final in straight sets for his biggest career title, a week after losing to the Greek in the Monte Carlo Masters final.
Ruud won 7-5, 6-3 for his first title of the season after losing the three other finals he played this year.
Seventh-ranked Tsitsipas had comfortably won in straight sets in Monte Carlo but this time Ruud prevailed, converting three of the six break points he earned.
Ruud is eyeing next month’s French Open after finishing runner-up at Roland Garros last year, one of three Grand Slam finals he has lost.
The 25-year-old Norwegian snapped a 10-match winning streak for Tsitsipas, who was 10-0 on clay this season and was seeking his 12th career title. Tsitsipas had lost all three of his previous Barcelona finals – in 2018, 2021 and 2023.
It was the 11th career title for Ruud, and the 10th on clay. His last title had been in Estoril in April 2023. (PTI)
