Barcelona Open: Ruud beats Tsitsipas to lift title

Casper Ruud completed a revenge job in convincing fashion Sunday at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, where the Norwegian defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-3 to lift the trophy at the clay-court ATP 500.

Seven days after Tsitsipas prevailed in the pair’s championship-match meeting in Monte-Carlo, Ruud delivered a classy all-around display to clinch his first ATP Tour title of the season. The third seed converted three of six break points he earned, according to Infosys ATP stats, as he proved the more consistent player from the baseline on Pista Rafa Nadal.

“Honestly, this has been worth the wait,” said Ruud, who had been to seven previous finals above ATP 250 level without winning a trophy. “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.”

With his 90-minute final triumph, Ruud snapped Tsitsipas’ 10-match winning streak. The Norwegian began the year well, reaching three finals prior to this week in Barcelona, and Sunday’s victory against Tsitsipas was his Tour-leading 29th match win of the year.

A 2022 finalist at the Nitto ATP Finals, Ruud last year missed out on qualification for the prestigious season finale. He has established himself as an early contender in this year’s PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, however. The 25-year-old has risen one spot to third as a result of his Barcelona title run.