Stefanos Tsitsipas continues love affair with Monte Carlo Masters

The Greek has produced his best tennis in Monte Carlo in the past and once again rose to the occasion against Ruud in front of a capacity crowd on Court Rainier III. The Greek played freely, taking large cuts on his heavy forehand to force Ruud deep, while he moved forward efficiently to expose the Norwegian's deep-court position.

With his one-hour, 36-minute win, Tsitsipas became the fifth player to win three or more Monte-Carlo titles, joining Rafael Nadal (11), Bjorn Borg (3), Thomas Muster (3) and Ilie Nastase (3).

The 25-year-old arrived at the clay court ATP Masters 1000 event holding a modest 11-6 record on the season. However, as has been the case in the past, Tsitsipas found his best level in Monte-Carlo, where he also defeated Top 10 stars Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner. By also beating World No. 10 Ruud, it is the first time since Toronto in 2018 that the Greek has earned three Top 10 wins at an event.

Tsitsipas is now level at 2-2 in the pair's head-to-head, with his title triumph in Monte-Carlo his first since Los Cabos last year. The Greek, who has won 11 tour-level trophies, including three Masters 1000 titles, will return to the Top 10 for the first time since February on Monday when he climbs to No. 7.

The Greek came out firing in his 28th tour-level final, dictating on his forehand to break Ruud's serve in the third game. The 25-year-old, who hit 10 winners and committed six unforced errors in the first set, regularly drew roars from the crowd with his fearless tennis catching the eye of stars such as Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc.

After sealing the first set on his second set point, the 12th seed, Tsitsipas saved one break point in his opening service game of the second set with a thunderous forehand to maintain control.

Ruud struggled to find the court with consistency on his forehand in the first set, frequently overhitting. While he improved in the second set, he was unable to find the required level to hurt the Greek. In a tense 13-minute seventh game, Tsitipas fended off three break points before holding. He then gained a decisive break himself to seal the victory.

Ruud, who defeated world number one Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, has won nine of his 10 tour-level crowns on clay. The eighth seed was aiming to become the first Scandinavian to win an ATP Masters 1000 title on the surface since Swede Magnus Norman in Rome in 2000. The 25-year-old will climb to No. 6 in the ATP Rankings on Monday, his highest position since September 2023.