Ruud Collects Biggest Career Title, Tops Tsitsipas In Barcelona

After 10 ATP 250 level titles, Casper Ruud has finally graduated to the 500 level. Today, the 2-time Grand Slam finalist collected the biggest title of his career, his first at the 500 level defeating an in-form Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-3.

“Honestly, this has been worth the wait,” said Ruud told the ATP. “A lot of finals that I’ve lost have been tough, a bit disappointing, of course. Any time you reach a final, it’s nonetheless a good week, so you can’t be too hard on yourself, but this one has been a long time coming.

“I’m super happy to do it here in Barcelona in front of a packed stadium and on Rafa Nadal Court. It’s special to me because I looked up to him all my childhood, came here myself as a 13-year-old boy to watch him and the others play here. It’s a great feeling.”

In this rematch of the Monte Carlo final a week ago won by the Greek, Ruud was down again early behind a break. But this time the Norwegian No. 1 rose up and leveled and then broke again at 5-all.

Backed by his solid serve, Ruud never faced a break point in the second en route to his third win in five tries against Tsitsipas.

“It was a bit of a tricky start, got broken right away,” Ruud added. “So not the best start, but I managed to settle in and broke him back. Clutched up and broke him in the end of the first, which was huge.

“It’s been two long weeks for both of us. It’s obvious that at some point fatigue is going to kick in. I think we were both fit enough to play today, it’s not about that, but winning the first set was huge probably for either of us.”

Tsitsipas, who had won 10 straight matches, is now a 4-time finalist in Barcelona.

“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,” said Tsitsipas. “Throughout the whole week I didn’t feel like my shots had the same effect as they did in Monte-Carlo.

“I’m just happy I was able to find ways to get here. Today it felt like I didn’t have the mental capacity. Casper was too good today. He had the fresher mind, played better tennis, and he deserved to win.”