Tsitsipas wins first Masters 1000 title in Monte-Carlo

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Third time lucky for Stefanos Tsitsipas.

In his third kick at the Masters 1000 can, the 22-year-old from Greece won the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters tournament, his first title at that level.

He was simply too good for finals opponent Andrey Rublev – just as he had been too good for him in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros last fall.

After the victory, he said it was the biggest week of his life.

“I was very happy that I was able to produce such good quality of tennis today, kind of handle my emotions and all of my nerves the right way, which led to this incredible moment at the end,” he said.

Whatever had to happen, happened

Whatever had to happen, happened, Tsitsipas added.

We’re still in an era that not having to face Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal in the final of a Masters 1000 tournament is a significant break – never mind both of them, potentially back to back.

But Dan Evans took care of Djokovic, and Rublev took care of Nadal.

After that, it was a matter of maximizing the opportunity.

Here’s what Tsitsipas had to say, in victory.

And here’s what a disappointed Rublev said in defeat.