In a matchup between two players looking for their first-ever Masters 1000 title, it was Stefanos Tsitsipas who came out on top in the Monte-Carlo final by beating Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday afternoon. Tsitsipas needed only one hour and 11 minutes to lift the second most important trophy of his career–trailing only the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals in stature.
The 22-year-old did not drop a set all week long, whereas Rublev had survived three-setters against both Rafael Nadal and Roberto Bautista Agut. It seemed to take a toll on the eighth-ranked Russian, who will pass Roger Federer to reach a career-high of No. 7 in the world on Monday. Rublev dropped the first three games of the match and never really recovered. An in-form Tsitsipas had a lot to do with that, too.
In the end, the Greek dropped only eight points on serve the entire way. He did not face a single break point and converted all three of his break-point chances.
“I had an unbelievable week in Monte-Carlo,” Tsitsipas reflected. “I can’t describe my feelings right now. I am overwhelmed by so many different emotions and nostalgia. It is incredible that I am able to be in the position that I am. We both deserved to be in the final. We put on an amazing fight and an amazing show…. I would consider it as the [best] week of my life so far.”
Rublev had an amazing week, as well, despite falling short at the last hurdle.
“I feel happy with the week, and I feel super sad with the final–that I couldn’t show the game [I have],” the 23-year-old commented. “I didn’t win, but of course I’m happy with the week because I beat so many great players. I beat one of the best players in history. It’s a special week.”
Both men will now continue their clay-court seasons in Barcelona, where Nadal is the top seed.
nice one, Tsitsi
There you have it, Tsitsipas has rated it his best week of his career. If he continues like this, he has a very good chance of winning RG.