Casper Ruud came to Barcelona with a terrible 0-7 score in the ATP finals above the ATP 250 level. Casper lost the Monte Carlo final to Stefanos Tsitsipas, and they met again a week later in the title clash at the Barcelona Open. The Norwegian turned the tables and scored a 7-5, 6-3 victory in an hour and 29 minutes, securing his 11th and a career-best ATP title. Tsitsipas struggled en route to the final, scoring a couple of tight wins and failing to lift the second trophy within seven days. Ruud served at 80% and did everything right behind the initial shot, facing only two break points and losing serve once at the beginning of the duel.
Casper Ruud & Stefanos Tsitsipas, Barcelona Open 2024© Alex Caparros / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
The Greek dropped 43% of the points in his games, playing against six break points and getting broken three times, dropping his fourth Barcelona Open final and the third within four years! Casper netted a routine forehand in the first game of the encounter, facing two break points. The Norwegian sprayed another forehand error, losing serve and falling behind. Stefanos held after deuce in game two, landing a service winner and cementing the break. The Greek secured the fourth game with a service winner before facing issues at 3-2. Ruud created break chances with a smash winner and passed Tsitsipas at the net with a powerful backhand crosscourt stroke, pulling the break back and locking the result at 3-3.
Casper Ruud, Barcelona Open 2024© Alex Caparros / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
Casper Ruud took down Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Barcelona Open final.
They served well in the following five games, with Casper cracking a backhand down the line winner in the 11th game for a 6-5 advantage. Ruud made a push on the return in the 12th game, landing a forehand winner for two set points and seizing the first after Tsitsipas’ loose volley, wrapping up the opener after 51 minutes and gaining a boost. Casper barely lost a point behind the initial shot in the second set, producing five comfortable holds and keeping the pressure on the other side. The Norwegian held at love in the first game with a forehand drive-volley winner, rattling 12 of the previous 16 points. Ruud grabbed the third game with a service winner and created three break points in the next one after Tsitsipas’ wayward forehand.
Casper Ruud, Barcelona Open 2024© Alex Caparros / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
The Greek netted another forehand on the first, falling 3-1 behind and sealing his fate in this match. Stefanos denied two break points in the sixth game, remaining within one break deficit. Casper left those chances behind and held at love in game seven, opening a 5-2 advantage and forcing Stefanos to serve to stay in the match. Tsitsipas landed a forehand winner, closing the eighth game and extending the battle. Ruud served for the title at 5-3 and created three match points after Tsitsipas’ loose forehand. The Greek missed another forehand, propelling the Norwegian over the top and toward his first title above the ATP 250 level.
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