2024 Barcelona Open ATP 500 Final - [5] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) v/s [3] Casper Ruud (NOR)

[Rafa4LifeEver]

So, 2nd consecutive week, 2nd consecutive final between the two.

While Tsitsipas dominated the Monte Carlo open final, crushing Ruud 6-1 6-4, he has struggled somewhat this week, especially in the last 2 matches, having to go to the absolute brink to beat Diaz Acousta in 3rd set breaker of their QF clash & then yet another 3 setter against Serbia's Dusan Lajovic in the SF.

Ruud otoh has not dropped a set this week.

Another interesting fact - Tsitsipas has never won an atp 500 level tournament, he is something like 0-10 in the finals at this level (thanks for the correction @alexio)
Ruud otoh has failed to win anything above the atp 250 level so far.
So tomorrow, one of them will be able to break the streak.

Who is it going to be? How many sets will it take? Vote and discuss.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

@Sysyphus @dking68 @Djokovic_is_the_best#1 @The Blond Blur

 

[dking68]

Casper Ruud in 3

 

[Deleted member 758560]

cute casper 0-7 in finals anything above 250 while citybus 0-10 in 500 finals, beautiful

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

cute casper 0-7 in finals anything above 250 while citybus 0-10 in 500 finals, beautiful

0-10, wow

 

[dking68]

0-10, wow

It’s going to be 0-11 tomorrow

 

[tsamo]

0-10, wow

Granted, the weakest player he ever faced in these finals was FAA, when he was god tier in inside courts in 2022, before he forgot how to play tennis.
Fun fact, the average seeding position of the players faced by Tsitsipas in ATP 500 finals is 2.1 lol.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

@alexio

Granted, the weakest player he ever faced in these finals was FAA, when he was god tier in inside courts in 2022, before he forgot how to play tennis.
Fun fact, the average seeding position of the players faced by Tsitsipas in ATP 500 finals is 2.1 lol.

Don't go for the averages

 

[BeatlesFan]

cute casper 0-7 in finals anything above 250 while citybus 0-10 in 500 finals, beautiful

Cute Casper is a friend of dogs too. I'll be rooting hard for him tomorrow but Stef will take this, likely in straights.

 

[DSH]

cute casper 0-7 in finals anything above 250 while citybus 0-10 in 500 finals, beautiful

Which streak will end tomorrow, the myth of Tsitsipas or the Ruud awakening?

 

[Deleted member 758560]

Which streak will end tomorrow, the myth of Tsitsipas or the Ruud awakening?

good question, if it were 0-9 id say 90 percent it would be 0-10, but now not so sure about that but hmm, still givin slight adv in favor of cute casper kinda 60/40 (that he will win i guess)

 

[Krish0608]

I'd favor Ruud in this one. Easily the fresher of the two and probably more hungry as well.

 

[Pheasant]

My wife absolutely loves Casper Ruud. He's a standup dude, so I'm a fan too. I really hope that Ruud can win.

With that being said, I don't think that Ruud has the firepower to beat Tsitsipas. Ruud is in good form, which means that he might steal a set. I'm taking Tsitsipas in 3 sets.

 

[The Blond Blur]

@Sysyphus @dking68 @Djokovic_is_the_best#1 @The Blond Blur

The Citybus keeps rolling unfortunately. That and Casper the friendly MUG is contractually forbidden from winning anything higher than a 250.

 

[BeatlesFan]

My wife absolutely loves Casper Ruud.

Any female with functioning eyeballs loves Casper.

 

[sortof]

The terminal decline of the Ruud mug continues - the former king of 250s doesn´t even hold a title anymore after he failed to defend Estoril. Tsits in 2.

 

[Hitman]

I think Tsitispas backs up MC with another big win. He has been super clutch this week, and is showing some real grit when things were not going his way.

I would like him to win Barcelona to do the MC-Barcelona double, it would be a great way to really shake things up and announce him again as a legit contender on the tour.

However, if he does lose, then Ruud would be the guy to lose to, as I feel Ruud is overdue a win above a 250.

 

[Ray Mercer]

A repeat final from last week. This is a tough one to call.

 

[Mainad]

Back to back claycourt finals for Stef and Casper. The latter can't ever seem to catch a break when trying to win something higher than a 250. Invariably comes up against a top, in-form player!

 

[DIMI_D]

Anyone’s game totally open I am thinking Rudd can avenge last week also Steph will be hungry to win this event..

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Hard to call, this one. tsits won easily in MC but has struggled a bit here. I'll go with Stef in 3 close sets but wouldn't be surprised at Casper winning.

 

[Arak]

The odds are very even in this match. As it often happens in tennis, the loser of the last final will probably win this time. I still think Tsitsipas will make it in 3 sets.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Any female with functioning eyeballs loves Casper.

Caspy bae

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

I’m going for tsitsipas to get the job done again. Ruud playing very solid but I feel tsitsipas has a higher plane he can reach. Tsitsipas is very good on clay and if his main rivals continue to stutter or have injury concerns then he has a great chance at an amazing cosy season and winning RG.

I think it will be closer than Monte Carlo as I think there levels have been close this tournament. Will go tsitsipas in 3.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

I think Tsitispas backs up MC with another big win. He has been super clutch this week, and is showing some real grit when things were not going his way.

I would like him to win Barcelona to do the MC-Barcelona double, it would be a great way to really shake things up and announce him again as a legit contender on the tour.

However, if he does lose, then Ruud would be the guy to lose to, as I feel Ruud is overdue a win above a 250.

Tsitsipas is showing great fight and it’s great to see. I feel tsitsipas still has a lot to give in his career as he’s very talented especially on clay. It all about the mindset with him but he seems in a good place right now.

 

[Halfdan]

I kind of want Casper to win, seeing as we're fellow countrymen, but also because he's deserving of a bigger title than 250 with the number of finals he's reached.
Based on the matches I've seen him play in Barcelona and MC however, I actually think he looked even more solid earlier this year. It will be very tough for him against Tsitsipas I suspect.

The first months of 2024 he showed some of the highest quality tennis I've ever seen from him. Very aggressive, playing closer to the lines, and not giving giving opponents any time by taking the initiative. I particularly remember Arthur Fils' expression after the IW match when they shook hands at the net, where he smiled, shook his head and looked like he was saying with his eyes "what the f... has happened to you Casper?!".

In Barcelona and MC, ironically, he's seemed to make more unforced forehand errors, and not being able to serve home games immediately after stealing a break.

But then again, I haven't watched nearly all his matches, and my impressions may have no base in actual stats.

Hoping for a hard fought, even, and entertaining final. It's really nice seeing Tsitsipas being back playing his beautiful(IMO) game like he did a couple of seasons ago.

 

[tsamo]

Just a thing I noticed.
The previous week, a lot of people were picking Ruud to win the matchup, while Tsitsipas was the betting favorite.
Whereas this week, a lot og people are backing Tsitsipas for the win, while Ruud is the betting favorite.
Both times the odds were basically the same though, so this is more of a fun fact than anything else, lol.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1781722196370735209

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

The Citybus keeps rolling unfortunately. That and Casper the friendly MUG is contractually forbidden from winning anything higher than a 250.

Both actually suck at this specific level though

 

[GAS]

Anyone having issues with TennisTV?

 

[Deleted member 758560]

Anyone having issues with TennisTV?

no, simply coz i dont use it

 

[Hitman]

Conditions are good today.

 

[emkayenaim]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1781722196370735209

Stoppable force meets movable object

 

[Hitman]

Tsitsipas with a break in the opening game, Ruud is rushing it.

 

[MeatTornado]

I somehow had no idea about that Tsitsipas 0-10 at 500s streak. I'm shocked to learn he was even in that many.

 

[Hitman]

Tsitsipas sometimes overplays the inside in forehand.

 

[Deleted member 758560]

wind is really good

 

[GAS]

Tsitsipas sometimes overplays the inside in forehand.

It's a money shot for him, though. He's pretty good with serve+1 from ad court.

 

[marc45]

can't stand hearing coaches yapping...dumbest rule change ever...if you can't figure things out yourself I don't need to hear your coach or family talking into a mic

 

[GAS]

can't stand hearing coaches yapping...dumbest rule change ever...if you can't figure things out yourself I don't need to hear your coach or family talking into a mic

Fans complaining about it is far worse.

 

[Hitman]

Tsitsipas looking strong. 2-0.

 

[Hitman]

It's a money shot for him, though. He's pretty good with serve+1 from ad court.

I'm not saying it's a bad shot, just saying that there are times he overplays it. Like when he is being pushed back due to a good return, is off balance, he still goes for it, instead of trying to play the percentages.

 

[Move]

Daddy yapping just as Casper is about to serve, unbelievable
Guy should be evicted from the stadium

 

[Rattie]

Any female with functioning eyeballs loves Casper.

 

[Hitman]

Casper looks more settled in now.

 

[Hitman]

What a pass to break back!

 

[Move]

Casper looks more settled in now.

Breaks back!

 

[Halfdan]

Good game by Ruud.

 

[Move]

Match is warming up now!

 

[Hitman]

They used every inch of the court for that point at 15-15.