End of streak: Ruud avenged Tsitsipas in Barcelona and won the biggest title of his career!

Casper Ruud continues to show why he is currently one of the players to be reckoned with on clay. After reaching the Monte Carlo final a week ago, losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas, the former No. 2 today got his sweet revenge over the Greek in the final of the ATP 500 event in Barcelona, ​​inflicting the Greek’s first defeat since the start of the season on red courts – 7 :5 6:3. It was the Norwegian’s 11th ATP title and his triumph in the Spanish city was his biggest of his career as the previous 10 came from ATP 250 events.

Tsitsipas carried his tennis from the Monte Carlo final into the first set, as he managed to dominate the Norwegian from the start. This gave him a break lead in the first game and the former No. 3 was able to hold on to his lead and it looked as if the set would go his way. However, the sixth game proved to be the turning point, as it was then that Ruud was able to tie the score, demonstrating his vastly improved backhand and skillful court movement. The three-time major finalist’s level of play rose with each passing minute and the Greek looked completely helpless, allowing the Scandinavian to break again in the twelfth game to end the opening set.

The strong tennis of the former number 2 carried over into the second set. Already at 2:1, he again broke the opponent’s serve at zero, which provided him with the necessary self-confidence from the opening shot line. Ruud looked significantly fresher than his opponent, who played many tough matches over the course of the week and in the end the Monte Carlo champion had to end his 10-match winning streak and remains without a title at ATP level, losing each of his 11 finals in this category.

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