Ruud claims first ATP title of season with revenge win over Tsitsipas in Barcelona

Casper Ruud defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5 6-3 to win the Barcelona Open on Sunday afternoon.

Tsitsipas was looking to build on last weekend’s success, when he continued his campaign to get back into the top 10 of the men’s rankings, and crossed that threshold as he won the Monte-Carlo Masters for the third time in his career.

For Ruud, the final offered not just the chance to win his first tournament of the year so far, but to also get revenge on his opponent after Tsitsipas defeated him in Monaco.

Tsitsipas overcame Dusan Lajovic, while Ruud beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry in their respective semi-final ties on Saturday, but Tsitsipas may not have been as fresh. The Greek player needed to come back from a set down, while Ruud enjoyed a straight-sets victory.

Ruud also needed just two sets to claim the title in Spain as he won the first set 7-5, with a far more reliable service game.

He took 80% of his first serve points compared to Tstisipas’s 57%, and four double faults from the losing finalist hinted at struggles with his serve.

The second set was easier for Ruud as he grew into a more dominant position, breaking twice to secure a 6-3 margin to wrap up his win as he prepares for the upcoming clay Grand Slam at Roland-Garros in June.

The Norwegian was far more consistent from the baseline than his opponent, and the difference in quality took him to his 11th career ATP Tour trophy.

Reflecting on what had changed in a week, Ruud said after the match: “Just to kind of [bring] it to him a little bit more than last week.

“In the final in Monte-Carlo I was always on the back foot, too far behind, and he had too much time to control the game.

“It was a bit of a tricky start [here], I got broken right away. So not the best start, but I managed to settle in and broke him back. Clutched up and broke him in the end of the first, which was huge.

“It’s been two long weeks for both of us. It’s obvious that at some point fatigue is going to kick in. I think we were both fit enough to play today, it’s not about that, but winning the first set was huge probably for either of us.”

The defeat ends Tsitsipas’s winning streak of 10 matches.

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Ruud claims first ATP title of season with revenge win over Tsitsipas in Barcelona

Casper Ruud defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5 6-3 to win the Barcelona Open on Sunday afternoon.

Tsitsipas was looking to build on last weekend’s success, when he continued his campaign to get back into the top 10 of the men’s rankings, and crossed that threshold as he won the Monte-Carlo Masters for the third time in his career.

For Ruud, the final offered not just the chance to win his first tournament of the year so far, but to also get revenge on his opponent after Tsitsipas defeated him in Monaco.

Tsitsipas overcame Dusan Lajovic, while Ruud beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry in their respective semi-final ties on Saturday, but Tsitsipas may not have been as fresh. The Greek player needed to come back from a set down, while Ruud enjoyed a straight-sets victory.

Ruud also needed just two sets to claim the title in Spain as he won the first set 7-5, with a far more reliable service game.

He took 80% of his first serve points compared to Tstisipas’s 57%, and four double faults from the losing finalist hinted at struggles with his serve.

The second set was easier for Ruud as he grew into a more dominant position, breaking twice to secure a 6-3 margin to wrap up his win as he prepares for the upcoming clay Grand Slam at Roland-Garros in June.

The Norwegian was far more consistent from the baseline than his opponent, and the difference in quality took him to his 11th career ATP Tour trophy.

Reflecting on what had changed in a week, Ruud said after the match: “Just to kind of [bring] it to him a little bit more than last week.

“In the final in Monte-Carlo I was always on the back foot, too far behind, and he had too much time to control the game.

“It was a bit of a tricky start [here], I got broken right away. So not the best start, but I managed to settle in and broke him back. Clutched up and broke him in the end of the first, which was huge.

“It’s been two long weeks for both of us. It’s obvious that at some point fatigue is going to kick in. I think we were both fit enough to play today, it’s not about that, but winning the first set was huge probably for either of us.”

The defeat ends Tsitsipas’s winning streak of 10 matches.

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Ruud eyes ‘biggest title of career’ after beating Etcheverry to reach Barcelona final

Casper Ruud booked his place in the Barcelona Open final with a 7-6(6) 6-4 win over Tomas Martin Etcheverry – and then looked forward to the chance to win “the biggest title” of his career.

On Sunday, Ruud will be hoping to end a sobering run which has seen him lose his last seven finals at tournaments above ATP 250 level.

However, he has started the 2024 season in impressive fashion and this victory takes his record to four wins and one defeat from five semi-finals this year – and he could face Stefanos Tsitsipas in a final for the second week running after losing to the Greek in Monte Carlo.

“It’s been fantastic, two weeks has been really good, two finals in a row and it’s gonna be special tomorrow, I’m gonna play for the biggest title of my career,” Ruud told Teledeporte.

“It was a difficult match, level-wise maybe it was my best match here in Barcelona, a very tough opponent, Tomas is playing fantastic tennis.

“I was a bit lucky in the first set… but that’s what you need sometimes, a bit of luck.”

Ruud took a keenly-contested opening set lasting one hour and 16 minutes after prevailing via a tie-break, with Etcheverry proving a very tough nut to crack.

The Argentine was showing few chinks in his armour until Ruud managed to get the opening break at 4-2, but could not follow that up with a hold in an immediate break back for the world No. 30.

Ruud was looking to finally move clear at 6-5, but let two set points slip to give Etcheverry a crucial hold at 6-6 before his resistance was ended.

The world No. 6 drew blood after set point number four in a gruelling opener, and followed that up with an early break in the second to seize the advantage.

But this topsy-turvy set looked to be following a familiar pattern to the first, as Etcheverry broke back again at 1-1.

However, the contest decisively swung in Ruud’s favour when he emphatically broke Etcheverry to love at 3-2.

From there onwards, the Norwegian wrapped up the match with relative comfort, taking it on his second match point.

He will now face the winner from the semi-final between Tsitsipas and Dusan Lajovic in Sunday’s final, with a potential chance to exact quick revenge on the Greek.

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Norrie knocked out in Barcelona as ‘aggressive’ Etcheverry steps up in tie-breaks

Cameron Norrie was beaten in the Barcelona Open quarter-finals as Tomas Martin Etcheverry advanced to the last four.

World No. 30 Etcheverry – placed just one position above Norrie in the ATP rankings – needed two tie-breaks in a hard-fought 7-6(4) 7-6(1) victory.

After the match, Etcheverry said he had planned to play “aggressively” against Norrie.

“I spoke to my coach last night and also my team, that I have to play aggressively to win this match,” the 24-year-old revealed after one of the biggest wins of his career.

“I played [Norrie] last year and it was a tough match, we played three hours [then] like today.

“The tie-break was key, I played really good in that part of the match.”

After coming through a gritty three-set battle with Brandon Nakashima in the last 16, Etcheverry got off to the perfect start to break the British No. 1 in the opening game.

Norrie broke back midway through the first set to draw level as the pair engaged in a tightly fought encounter.

A breaker was required to settle the opener, which Etcheverry edged after gaining two set points to eventually seal it 7-4.

Etcheverry came close to what would have likely been a decisive break in the eighth game of the second set, but Norrie fought him off with a wonderful forehand to hold.

The Argentine regained his lead to move within one game of victory, but Norrie served well to stay in the match.

The duo could not be separated as they entered another tie-break, but it was Etcheverry who was dialled in and breezed through the final test to move into the semi-finals.

Etcheverry will face either world No. 6 Casper Ruud or Italian Matteo Arnaldi for a spot in this year’s final.

Over in Munich at the Bavarian International, Jack Draper was handed a quarter-final defeat by world No. 15 Taylor Fritz, who came from behind to win 4-6 6-3 7-6(1).

Draper started the match in dominant fashion, setting the tone when he broke the American in the opening game and then earning four break point opportunities in the fifth game – but failed to convert them.

Although Draper managed to serve things out and take the opening set, Fritz fought back from 40-0 in the fourth game of the second set to break back, which is where the momentum began to shift.

And Fritz was too strong for Draper in a tight decider, which he eventually won with an impressive tie-break showing.

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Norrie knocked out in Barcelona as ‘aggressive’ Etcheverry steps up in tie-breaks

Cameron Norrie was beaten in the Barcelona Open quarter-finals as Tomas Martin Etcheverry advanced to the last four.

World No. 30 Etcheverry – placed just one position above Norrie in the ATP rankings – needed two tie-breaks in a hard-fought 7-6(4) 7-6(1) victory.

After the match, Etcheverry said he had planned to play “aggressively” against Norrie.

“I spoke to my coach last night and also my team, that I have to play aggressively to win this match,” the 24-year-old revealed after one of the biggest wins of his career.

“I played [Norrie] last year and it was a tough match, we played three hours [then] like today.

“The tie-break was key, I played really good in that part of the match.”

After coming through a gritty three-set battle with Brandon Nakashima in the last 16, Etcheverry got off to the perfect start to break the British No. 1 in the opening game.

Norrie broke back midway through the first set to draw level as the pair engaged in a tightly fought encounter.

A breaker was required to settle the opener, which Etcheverry edged after gaining two set points to eventually seal it 7-4.

Etcheverry came close to what would have likely been a decisive break in the eighth game of the second set, but Norrie fought him off with a wonderful forehand to hold.

The Argentine regained his lead to move within one game of victory, but Norrie served well to stay in the match.

The duo could not be separated as they entered another tie-break, but it was Etcheverry who was dialled in and breezed through the final test to move into the semi-finals.

Etcheverry will face either world No. 6 Casper Ruud or Italian Matteo Arnaldi for a spot in this year’s final.

Over in Munich at the Bavarian International, Jack Draper was handed a quarter-final defeat by world No. 15 Taylor Fritz, who came from behind to win 4-6 6-3 7-6(1).

Draper started the match in dominant fashion, setting the tone when he broke the American in the opening game and then earning four break point opportunities in the fifth game – but failed to convert them.

Although Draper managed to serve things out and take the opening set, Fritz fought back from 40-0 in the fourth game of the second set to break back, which is where the momentum began to shift.

And Fritz was too strong for Draper in a tight decider, which he eventually won with an impressive tie-break showing.

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Norrie earns 200th ATP Tour win and to reach quarter-finals with Bautista Agut victory

Cameron Norrie powered into the Barcelona Open quarter-finals with a 6-4 6-3 victory against home favourite Roberto Bautista Agut.

The victory gave the British No. 1 his 200th career win on the ATP Tour and kept him on track for a sixth ATP title.

It looked as if the encounter between Norrie and Bautista Agut would be closely contested after they played out a fascinating 26-shot rally at 1-1.

But Norrie did not look back after he eventually hit the winner to break Bautista Agut and take a 2-1 lead.

The Barcelona Open’s 12th seed broke his opponent again in the seventh game, before holding to gain a 5-3 advantage.

Although Bautista Agut crept back into the encounter by winning the next game, Norrie successfully served out the set.

He then earned break points in the first, third and ninth games of the second set to wrap up the victory in one hour and 24 minutes.

“I think on the score it was easy, but there were a lot of tough points in there,” Norrie told Sky Sports.

“I was really pleased with how I handled myself when serving for the first set. I had a couple of tough games at the end of the second set there and played a good game to break as well.

“So I was very, very solid and I converted the points when I was aggressive. I felt like I was moving well, and I was pleased with my footwork.”

Norrie revealed he was not aware he had just won his 200th match on the ATP Tour, but said reaching the milestone made him feel “very good.”

“I didn’t actually know that. I know that yesterday Roberto [Bautista Agut] got 400. So I’m halfway to his. To get 400 wins is impressive.

“I didn’t know that, but I’ll take that 200th win against a top player.”

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Norrie earns 200th ATP Tour win and to reach quarter-finals with Bautista Agut victory

Cameron Norrie powered into the Barcelona Open quarter-finals with a 6-4 6-3 victory against home favourite Roberto Bautista Agut.

The victory gave the British No. 1 his 200th career win on the ATP Tour and kept him on track for a sixth ATP title.

It looked as if the encounter between Norrie and Bautista Agut would be closely contested after they played out a fascinating 26-shot rally at 1-1.

But Norrie did not look back after he eventually hit the winner to break Bautista Agut and take a 2-1 lead.

The Barcelona Open’s 12th seed broke his opponent again in the seventh game, before holding to gain a 5-3 advantage.

Although Bautista Agut crept back into the encounter by winning the next game, Norrie successfully served out the set.

He then earned break points in the first, third and ninth games of the second set to wrap up the victory in one hour and 24 minutes.

“I think on the score it was easy, but there were a lot of tough points in there,” Norrie told Sky Sports.

“I was really pleased with how I handled myself when serving for the first set. I had a couple of tough games at the end of the second set there and played a good game to break as well.

“So I was very, very solid and I converted the points when I was aggressive. I felt like I was moving well, and I was pleased with my footwork.”

Norrie revealed he was not aware he had just won his 200th match on the ATP Tour, but said reaching the milestone made him feel “very good.”

“I didn’t actually know that. I know that yesterday Roberto [Bautista Agut] got 400. So I’m halfway to his. To get 400 wins is impressive.

“I didn’t know that, but I’ll take that 200th win against a top player.”

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Nadal says French Open is moment to ‘give everything’ after Barcelona exit

Nadal, 37, was playing his first tournament in three months due to injuries, and his first on clay since winning the 2022 French Open.

Nadal showed flashes of his best against De Minaur but fell away in the second set as he lost 7-5 6-1, and said afterwards that it is about building towards the French Open this summer.

“On a personal level, for what is to come, the 6-1 in the second set is what had to happen today,” said Nadal.

“It wasn’t today that I had to give everything and die, I have to give myself the chance to do that in a few weeks, or at least try to.

“I will try to take a step further in Madrid, then another one in Rome and, in Paris… there is the moment to do it, whatever happens, there is no better place to.”

Nadal is a 14-time winner of the French Open and is expected to also target a medal at the Paris Olympics, which are held at Roland-Garros.

He said he was encouraged by his performances in his two matches in Barcelona.

“Alex is a great player. In terms of tennis today, he was in better shape than me,” said Nadal.

“He has really played at a very high level since the beginning of the season. I think he has made a very important step forward in his level of tennis. I’m just happy for him and I congratulate him for the level he played today.

“I didn’t practise a lot, so that [performance] encourages me to keep going. It tells me that, if I’m able to spend days on the tour and keep practising with the players, I really hope and believe that I can keep being competitive. If my body allows me to push the way that I need.”

picture

Alex de Minaur is playing against Rafa Nadal in the round of 32 at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, 71st Conde de Godo Trophy, at the Real Club de Tennis Barcelona 1899, in Barcelona, Spain.

Image credit: Getty Images

Nadal was uncertain to play in Barcelona after pulling out of Indian Wells and Monte Carlo due to injury issues.

“I feel much more comfortable and happier today than one week and a half ago,” he added.

“I was able to manage to play two matches, played against a great player. I was not very far [away], without a doubt. I feel myself, if I am able to keep practising days on the tour, and my body allows me to spend hours on court and have practices the way that I need.

“I hope to be competitive. I hope and believe I can be competitive in a few weeks. That’s the way that I need to proceed today, and to give me a chance to be ready at least to compete at Roland-Garros.”

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Nadal says French Open is moment to ‘give everything’ after Barcelona exit

Nadal, 37, was playing his first tournament in three months due to injuries, and his first on clay since winning the 2022 French Open.

Nadal showed flashes of his best against De Minaur but fell away in the second set as he lost 7-5 6-1, and said afterwards that it is about building towards the French Open this summer.

“On a personal level, for what is to come, the 6-1 in the second set is what had to happen today,” said Nadal.

“It wasn’t today that I had to give everything and die, I have to give myself the chance to do that in a few weeks, or at least try to.

“I will try to take a step further in Madrid, then another one in Rome and, in Paris… there is the moment to do it, whatever happens, there is no better place to.”

Nadal is a 14-time winner of the French Open and is expected to also target a medal at the Paris Olympics, which are held at Roland-Garros.

He said he was encouraged by his performances in his two matches in Barcelona.

“Alex is a great player. In terms of tennis today, he was in better shape than me,” said Nadal.

“He has really played at a very high level since the beginning of the season. I think he has made a very important step forward in his level of tennis. I’m just happy for him and I congratulate him for the level he played today.

“I didn’t practise a lot, so that [performance] encourages me to keep going. It tells me that, if I’m able to spend days on the tour and keep practising with the players, I really hope and believe that I can keep being competitive. If my body allows me to push the way that I need.”

picture

Alex de Minaur is playing against Rafa Nadal in the round of 32 at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, 71st Conde de Godo Trophy, at the Real Club de Tennis Barcelona 1899, in Barcelona, Spain.

Image credit: Getty Images

Nadal was uncertain to play in Barcelona after pulling out of Indian Wells and Monte Carlo due to injury issues.

“I feel much more comfortable and happier today than one week and a half ago,” he added.

“I was able to manage to play two matches, played against a great player. I was not very far [away], without a doubt. I feel myself, if I am able to keep practising days on the tour, and my body allows me to spend hours on court and have practices the way that I need.

“I hope to be competitive. I hope and believe I can be competitive in a few weeks. That’s the way that I need to proceed today, and to give me a chance to be ready at least to compete at Roland-Garros.”

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