TENNIS
Tsitsipas defeats Ruud in Monaco
MONACO -- Stefanos Tsitsipas swept aside Casper Ruud 6-1, 6-4 on Sunday to win the clay-court Monte Carlo Masters for the third time in four years, and then wept in his chair.
Tsitsipas sat holding his head in his hands, briefly crying as he took in his first title of the year and biggest tournament victory in two years.
"I'm very proud of myself today. I had been waiting for a moment like this for a long time," said the 12th-ranked Tsitsipas, who reached a career-high No. 3 ranking in 2021. "I did not know what was going to happen this week."
The big-serving Greek also won the title in 2021 and 2022 and this latest trophy at the Monte Carlo Country Club took him to 11 career titles overall.
"It has been very difficult, so to be back on the podium, winning tournaments, just feels amazing," Tsitsipas said. "The third time is even more special than the first or second time. This is an unbelievable win for me. Capturing that win today was nerve-wracking, I really wanted this trinity."
It was his first trophy since August last year, when he won a modest ATP 250-level tournament on outdoor hard courts at Los Cabos in Mexico.
This was much more prestigious and he shared a warm hug at the net with Ruud, who is chasing his first title of the year and remains stuck on 10 overall.
The match featured former French Open runner-ups and offered an early indication of form heading into the clay-court major at next month's Roland Garros.
Tsitsipas was an outsider coming into this tournament, where he was seeded 12th.
But he got the better of Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, handing him only his second defeat of the season to set up a perhaps unexpected final against Ruud, who beat top-ranked Novak Djokovic in Saturday's other semi.
Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece kisses the trophy after defeating Casper Ruud of Norway to win the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters final match 6-1, 6-4 in Monaco, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece reacts after winning the 2nd set against Casper Ruud of Norway to win the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters final match 6-1, 6-4 in Monaco, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece celebrates after winning the 2nd set against Casper Ruud of Norway to win the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters final match 6-1, 6-4 in Monaco, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, left, poses with the trophy alongside runner up Casper Ruud of Norway after the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters final match in Monaco, Sunday, April 14, 2024. Tsitsipas won the match 6-1, 6-4. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece poses with the trophy after defeating Casper Ruud of Norway to win the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters final match 6-1, 6-4 in Monaco, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, front, embraces Casper Ruud of Norway after winning the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters final match 6-1, 6-4 in Monaco, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
Casper Ruud of Norway returns to Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during their Monte Carlo Tennis Masters final match in Monaco, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece poses with the trophy alongside Ferarri F1 driver Charles Leclerc, left, after defeating Casper Ruud of Norway to win the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters final match 6-1, 6-4 in Monaco, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
Casper Ruud of Norway reacts during his Monte Carlo Tennis Masters final match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in Monaco, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)