After losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets at the Monte Carlo Masters last week, Casper Ruud defeated him to win the Barcelona Open.

The world No. 6 came back to defeat Tsitsipas, who entered Sunday’s final on a 10-match winning streak, 7-5, 6-2. With all ten of his prior victories coming at the 250 level, this is Ruud’s first ATP 500 victory. Tsitsipas, on the other hand, has lost all 11 of his ATP 500 finals and has yet to win an ATP 500 championship. The Greek, though, has more major victories than his opponent—three Masters and the 2019 ATP finals.

Ruud’s most recent victory came after he overcame a difficult opening set to unseat Tsitsipas with some strong hitting. The Norweigan defeated 15 unintentional faults in total to strike 19 winners and become the first Scandinavian champion in Barcelona since Kent Carlsson of Sweden in 1988.

Ruud was hesitant and lost serve in the opening game of the final, marking their fifth meeting at the Tour level. Despite the slip-up, he recovered to even the score halfway through the first game and then took advantage of his opportunity. Ruud took a 6-5 lead and won two sets against the Tsitsipas serve thanks to a forehand winner in the next point and a lightning-fast backhand winner down the line. He made the most of his opening with a slice slot that made his opponent make an unintentional mistake.

Four games into the second set, Ruud secured his next break, closing close on the greatest victory of his career after a clumsy play by Tsitsipas. Then, he had a chance to get a double break, but he was unable to take advantage of it. Ruud was however able to wrap up the win with relative ease. Three championship points were awarded to Tsitsipas for a forehand shank. After his opponent made another error, he won the first time around.

Given his background with the competition, it is even more satisfying that Ruud has won his largest title to date in Barcelona.

“I hold special sentiments for the Rafael Nadal court.” I came to Barcelona as a 13-year-old lad to witness him and other players because I had always looked up to him. It’s an amazing sensation. He stated.

More than any other player on the ATP Tour, Ruud has now won 29 matches this season. Additionally, he has emerged as the fourth player in 2024 to win an ATP trophy without dropping a single set during the competition.