Monte-Carlo: first Masters 1000 for Tsitsipas, executioner of Rublev

This is a strong signal sent just over a month away from Roland-Garros.

Stefanos Tsitsipas won the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 this Sunday, at the expense of Andrey Rublev (8th).

The Greek, 5th in the ATP ranking, swept the Russian, 8th, in this 100% “Next Gen” duel, 6-3, 6-3, in 1h11.

“I am overwhelmed with emotion. It's the best victory of my life so far, ”said the 22-year-old Greek, after falling to his knees on the court. At 22, Tsitsipas thus signs the second immense victory of his career, after the Masters at the end of the year in 2019. In total, he now has six titles on the ATP circuit, with also four ATP 250 tournaments (Stockholm 2018, Marseille and Estoril 2019, Marseille 2020). "I knew he would be a very tough opponent and I was very nervous at the start of the match," he added, stressing that he and Rublev had already clashed often.

Tsitsipas in 2021:

✅ ATP Cup (undefeated in singles)

✅ Australian Open semi-final

✅ Rotterdam semi-final

✅ Marseille quarter-final

✅ Acapulco final

✅ Miami quarter-final

✅ Monte-Carlo champion pic.twitter.com/QPA0NqEaXj

- ATP Tour (@atptour) April 18, 2021

Longer at ignition, Rublev (23) broke from the start and, if he then rebalanced the game, the damage was done: Tsitsipas quietly held his service games to win the first round in 32 minutes. The second was played in the same tone: Tsitsipas took the service of his opponent to lead 2-1 and again in the final game. If the Greek achieved each of the break points obtained, he did not on the other hand, never been endangered on his own service game: Rublev, who played his first Masters 1000 final after having notably eliminated Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, did not obtain the slightest break point in the game.

Without having given up a single set during his Monegasque campaign, during which he successively dismissed Aslan Karatsev, Cristian Garin, Alejandro Davidovich then Daniel Evans and Andrey Rublev, Tsitsipas has established himself as one of the favorites of this season on clay. , and will have a great card to play at Roland-Garros (May 30-June 13).