Tsitsipas Wins His Third Monte Carlo Masters Title

The twenty-five year old Greek followed up his win over Jannik Sinner to advance to the finals with a commanding performance and win over Casper Ruud 6-1, 6-4. Stefanos Tsitipas joins other tennis greats as a three-time winner of the ATP’s clay court Monte Carlo Masters Tournament.

Tennis Channel’s Jason Goodall stated, “Stefanos Tsitsipas is back with a vengeance this week in Monte Carlo”, with a statement from Paul Annaconde stating, “Third time champion, and he has his confidence back”.

Tsitsipas better from the start

From the beginning Tsitsipas appeared to be the more confident player even though Ruud had two recent wins over him in February in Los Cabos and in their meeting on a clay court three years ago in Madrid. 

Tsitsipas converted three of six break-point chances in the opening set. He also allowed Ruud three of his own.  While trailing 3-1 and with a short forehand error, Ruud on point break point gave Tsitsipas a reprieve as he double faulted to end the set.

Number ten Ruud won a break point in the first and third games of the second set. After an error on a break-point chance at 1-1 Annaconde stated, “That is a pedestrian forehand miss from a world-class player”.

In the meantime number 12 ranked Tsitsipas played steady with strong forehands and defending Ruud’s strikes as he continuously applied pressure to Ruud’s game. 

Ruud did well and saved Tsitipas’ break point down 2-3 by applying a huge backhand return with an impressive volley and hold for 3-all.  He forced Tsitipas to save three more break points at 3-3 with his sixth, seventh and eighth of the match.  Even with Ruud’s best efforts he was not able to win this thirteen minute game or the match.

Up to World No 7 in Rankings

 Tsitsipas will return to the top ten players ranking tomorrow at number seven with his final record improving to 11-17.

The Road to the Final for Ruud and Tsitsipas

Casper Ruud beat Novak Djokovic, the number one ranked player, with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 win to rach the Monte Carlo Final. This win ended Djokovic’s search for his first title of the year.

Saturday Ruud sailed onto victory within the opening set while Djokovic fought back hard.  The end of the set was a nail-biter with Djokovic double-faulting on Ruud’s match point.

The twenty-five year old Norwegian is ranked number ten with a career high of number two. He is the highest ranking Norwegian in history.

His father, Christian, is his coach with his father achieving a career high of number thirty-nine on the ATP Tour.  Ruud’s favorite surface is clay and he should continue to play well in the final of the clay surface of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Ruud has won ten ATP Tour singles titles and finished runner-up at three majors, including the 2022 French Open, 2022 U.S. Open, and the 2023 French Open, along with the 2022 ATP finals.

Tsitsipas Exciting Win Over Sinner 

Twenty-five year old Greek Tsitsipas, who is a two-time Monte Carlo Tournament winner, won his spot in the final after winning against Jannik Sinner, who lost only for the second time this year.

Tsitsipas stated concerning the defeat of Sinner, “It was tennis at it’s highest level that I have been able to play. He is one of the toughest opponents I have faced so far and to find ways when there weren’t that many, I am proud of that. He gave me a very difficult game and [the] way I overcame it is true excellence”.

Tsitsipas, at 6’4″, is one of the tallest players in the ATP. His favorite surface to play is grass. However, he has played excellent games on the clay courts of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Like Ruud, his father Apostolos is his coach. His mother, Julia Salnikova, was a former professional tennis player who acted as his first coach.  

Tsitsipas is currently ranked number twelve in the world with a highest career ranking of number three in 2022.

Tsitsipas is ambassador for the Greek organization, “Mazi gia to Paidi”, that helps underprivileged children. He also launched Beyond 100 Supportauction during the Covid 19 pandemic that raised money to go towards ATP Player Relief Programme.

Written by Bonnie Kilgore