Stefanos Tsitsipas secured his third Monte Carlo Masters title by defeating Casper Ruud 6-1, 6-4 in a commanding display.
The Greek star dominated the initial set, wrapping it up in just 36 minutes. While Ruud put up a fight in the second set, leveling at 4-4, Tsitsipas surged ahead in the closing games.
Reflecting on his victory, Tsitsipas expressed, “After a challenging period, returning to the winner’s circle feels incredible.” His win elevated him to seventh in the world rankings, with the emotional moment seeing him drop to the ground in joy.
Expressing gratitude, Tsitsipas credited his support system, saying, “To secure three titles is beyond belief. It was a nerve-wracking match, but I couldn’t be happier.”
This win marked a significant tournament for Tsitsipas, defeating top-10 players like Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner en route to the final. He now joins tennis legends Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg, Thomas Muster, and Ilie Nastase in the elite group of players with three or more Monte Carlo titles.
Displaying a fearless approach, Tsitsipas capitalized on his dominant forehand, challenging Ruud’s deep-court strategy. This win comes after his last title at Los Cabos, Mexico, last August and rejuvenates his 2024 season following a slow start.
Tsitsipas secured a break in the third game of the first set, leaving Ruud struggling to regain momentum. Although Ruud showed improvement in the second set, Tsitsipas’ resilience saw him fend off three break points in a tense seventh game.
With both players gearing up for the Barcelona Open, which sees Rafael Nadal’s return after Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal due to a forearm injury, the tennis action promises to be thrilling.
Credit: BBC Sport
