Casper Ruud emerged victorious at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, avenging his recent Monte-Carlo Masters final loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas by winning 7-5, 6-3. This win not only marks Ruud’s first ATP Tour title of the season but also ends Tsitsipas‘ impressive 10-match winning streak.
Playing on the renowned clay courts of Pista Rafa Nadal (namesake of a certain Spanish Tennis legend), Ruud showcased a more consistent baseline game and efficiently converted three out of six break points. His victory underscores his resilience and strategic play, especially after a string of runner-up finishes in higher-level tournaments. “Honestly, this has been worth the wait,” Ruud expressed, reflecting on his journey to this pivotal victory. “I’m super happy to do it here in Barcelona, on Rafa Nadal Court. It’s special to me because I looked up to him all my childhood.”
The match was a strategic battle from the start, with Tsitsipas initially breaking Ruud. However, the Norwegian quickly adjusted, reclaiming the break and securing another at the end of the first set. Ruud’s performance in the second set was dominant, breaking Tsitsipas to love early and maintaining control throughout.
Reflecting on the differences from their previous encounter in the Monte-Carlo Masters, Ruud noted, “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.” His adjustments in Barcelona clearly paid off, allowing him to dictate the pace and dynamics of the match more effectively.
Despite the loss, Tsitsipas acknowledged his opponent’s superior play. “Casper was too good today. He had the fresher mind, played better tennis, and he deserved to win,” said Tsitsipas, who admitted to struggling with his game throughout the tournament. “I wasn’t playing my best tennis this week in Barcelona, but I was still able to find a way and get to the final… Being in the final is amazing, I would take that any day.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas in Barcelona Open 2024 Semi-Final against Dušan Lajović
With this win, Ruud not only takes the lead in their head-to-head record but also positions himself as a strong contender for the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals. His ascent in the rankings and his performance in Barcelona signal a promising season ahead for the Norwegian star. Tsitsipas, despite his defeat, has shown resilience and the ability to compete at high levels, ensuring that future encounters between these two talented players will be eagerly anticipated by tennis fans worldwide.
