Stefanos Tsitsipas has made short work of Norwegian eighth seed Casper Ruud to seize a third Monte Carlo Masters title in four years with an emphatic 6-1 6-4 victory.
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Tsitsipas dominated proceedings against fellow 25-year-old Ruud from the onset in Sunday's final, cruising through six consecutive games to wrap up the opening set in 36 minutes.
The second set was a much closer affair but Tsitsipas proved too strong, the Greek becoming the first player in the professional era to win his first three Monte Carlo finals in straight sets.
Tsitsipas, who handed Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner just his second defeat of the year in the semi-finals, secured his first title of 2024 - taking bis career tally to 11 - and stamped himself as the favourite for the clay-court grand slam title in the French Open.
Tsitsipas joins Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg, Thomas Muster and Ilie Nastase to win at least three Monte Carlo titles.
"It's been very difficult. To be back on the podiums and winning tournaments feels amazing," Tsitsipas said.
"I can't thank enough my family and friends ... for making this possible.
"The trinity is even more special than the first or second time. This is purely unbelievable for me. Capturing that win today was nerve-wracking. I really wanted the trinity so I got it. I'm extremely happy today."
Having come into the clay-court Masters 1000 event with an 11-6 win-loss record for 2024, Tsitsipas will return to the world's top 10 on Monday after dropping out for the first time since 2019 earlier in the year.
But it was yet more heartbreak for former French and US Open finalist Ruud, who had stunned world No.1 Novak Djokovic in the semis, having lost the Mexican and Los Cabos Open finals earlier this year.
"I know you fell out of top 10 a few weeks ago but you're back again where I think you belong. You're a fantastic player and especially on clay and Monte Carlo," Ruud told Tsitsipas on court.
Australian Associated Press
