Ruud defeats Tsitsipas to win Barcelona Open
Norway's number three seed Casper Ruud claimed the first ATP 500 series win of his career when he beat Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets at the Barcelona Open on Sunday afternoon.
Ruud won 7-5, 6-3 to complete a tournament in which he failed to drop a single set, and in doing so he took revenge for his defeat to Tsitsipas in the Monte Carlo Masters just a week ago.
He claimed the first set despite losing his first service game, but broke back in the sixth game after taking advantage of two double faults from his rival.
Tsitsipas looked shaky after that, but recovered, partly thanks to his willingness to attack the net, although Ruud assured the set by breaking his rival in the 12th game, after two impressive backhands.
Ruud looked confident in the second set and was content to try and control the play, while Tsitsipas began to make too many unforced errors, allowing the Norwegian to claim the definitive break in the fourth game.
"It means a lot to me. It is the biggest title I have won in my career. I have been in a lot of finals, but this was a good day and I am really happy," he said in his post-match interview.
Related articles
French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti
PARIS (AP) — France’s sports minister has called for soccer club Monaco to be sanctioned after one o2024-05-21Travis Kelce hilariously ripped for his old tweets at New Heights live
Travis Kelce was hilariously ripped during he and older brother Jason Kelce's New Heights live show2024-05-21Australian teen jailed for school shooting
File image. Photo: AFP / WILLIAM WEST2024-05-21'The wheels have come off!': Steve McManaman delivers scathing assessment of Liverpool's dismal 3
Steve McManaman has delivered a scathing assessment of Liverpool's dismal 3-0 defeat by Atalanta on2024-05-21Red Lobster seeks bankruptcy protection after closing some restaurants
Red Lobster, the casual dining chain that brought seafood to the masses with inventions like popcorn2024-05-21Video shows Victim Support worker 'bragging' about smacking his children
The worker speaking at Destiny Church. Photo: Supplied2024-05-21
atest comment