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7 months ago
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‘This one has been a long time coming,’ said Casper Ruud, with characteristic understatement.
The Norwegian won the biggest title of his career in Barcelona on Sunday, having lost his previous seven finals at ATP 500 level or above.
Ruud broke his duck by avenging his defeat by Stefanos Tsitsipas in last week’s Monte Carlo final. This time he beat the Greek 7-5, 6-3 and clay court specialist Ruud is building up a head of steam before the French Open, where he is twice a beaten finalist.
‘For me it means a lot, this is my biggest title that I ever won,’ said the 25-year-old world No6.
‘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.’
Casper Ruud won the biggest title of his career in Barcelona , having lost his previous seven finals at ATP 500 level or above
The Norwegian completed the Barcelona pool jump after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas
Elena Rybakina thrashed Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-2 in Stuttgart for her third title of the season
In Stuttgart, Elena Rybakina thrashed Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-2 for her third title of the season.
The Kazak finished the job after her huge win against world No1 Iga Swiatek in the semi-final on Saturday.
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