Stefanos Tsitsipas Dominates Monte Carlo Masters for Third Title in Four Years
Tsitsipas Clinches Monte Carlo Masters Title
Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 12th-ranked Greek player, showcased his dominance on the clay courts, sweeping aside Casper Ruud in a 6-1, 6-4 victory to clinch the Monte Carlo Masters title for the third time in four years on Sunday. Tsitsipas was visibly emotional, sitting in his chair and briefly shedding tears as he took in his first title of the year and biggest tournament triumph in two years.
“I’m very proud of myself today. I had been waiting for a moment like this for a long time,” said Tsitsipas, who had previously reached a career-high No. 3 ranking in 2021. “I did not know what was going to happen this week.”
Tsitsipas, who also won the Monte Carlo title in 2021 and 2022, now boasts 11 career titles overall. This triumph marked his first trophy since his victory at the ATP 250-level tournament in Los Cabos, Mexico, last August.
Clash of Former French Open Finalists
The match featured a clash between two former French Open runners-up, providing an early indication of their form ahead of next month’s clay-court major at Roland Garros. Despite being seeded 12th, Tsitsipas outmaneuvered Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner in the semifinals before prevailing over eighth-seeded Ruud in the final.
Tsitsipas displayed his dominance early on, breaking Ruud’s serve and holding to take a 3-1 lead in the opening set. He then secured another break when Ruud flapped a loose forehand into the net, eventually taking the set 6-1 as Ruud double-faulted on set point.
Ruud improved in the second set and put pressure on Tsitsipas, who saved three break points and took 13 minutes to hold serve in a crucial seventh game. However, Tsitsipas remained resilient, hitting an ace to win his next service game and then seizing the match point with a forehand winner, sliding on his back with arms outstretched in celebration.
“I managed the point relatively well and finished it with the winner,” Tsitsipas said, reflecting on his triumphant performance.
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