\n<\/p>\n
Casper Ruud won his first title of 2024 as he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to win the Barcelona Open.<\/b><\/p>\n
Norwegian third seed Ruud defeated the Greek fifth seed 7-5 6-3 to claim the biggest title of his career.<\/p>\n
It is the first time the 25-year-old, who is ranked sixth in the world, has won an ATP 500-ranked event.<\/p>\n
“For me it means a lot, this is my biggest title that I ever won,” said Ruud.<\/p>\n
“It’s something I’ve chased for a long time already. I’ve never won a 500 before or a 1000. I’ve been to a few finals but always came up a little bit short.”<\/p>\n
Ruud, a three-time Grand Slam runner-up, was broken early by the 25-year-old Tsitsipas but broke back in the sixth game, before going on to convert one of two set points at 6-5.<\/p>\n
He then opened up a 4-1 lead in the second set after Tsitsipas hit a forehand into the net to concede a break, before seeing out victory in 91 minutes to end the Greek’s 10-match winning streak.<\/p>\n
The win also avenged Ruud’s defeat by Tsitsipas in last week’s Monte Carlo Open final.<\/a><\/p>\n Elsewhere, Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff earned a straight sets win over American Taylor Fritz to win the BMW Open in Munich.<\/p>\n Fourth seed and home favourite Struff beat the third seed 7-5 6-3 to secure a maiden ATP Tour title at the clay-court ATP 250 event.<\/p>\n At the Bucharest Open, Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics beat Mariano Navone of Argentina 6-4 7-5 for his second ATP Tour title.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n