2024 champion Casper Ruud and finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas make brilliant Barcelona Open starts

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud have started their quests at the Barcelona Open with lightning fast wins on Tuesday afternoon after reaching the final last year.

Tsitsipas who is a four-time finalist finally broke his duck recently of losing in ATP 500 finals. He eased past big-serving American, Reilly Opelka 6-2, 6-2. He has improved to 7-0 in the opening rounds of the tournament, one that he has excelled in during previous years.

Tsitsipas has reached the Barcelona Open final in four of the last six editions including back-to-back in 2023 and 2024. He capitalised on 35 unforced errors from Opelka to seal the win.

“I’m happy with the way I found relief through fighting, particularly in the difficult moments when he was serving,” said Tsitsipas as per ATP.

“I got a few metres back [returning] and used that space effectively. I felt I was able to return way more returns than initially expected. I kept my cool when I had to, it was a good win.”

While Casper Ruud who is defending champion followed on Tuesday. He eased past Daniel Elahi Galan 6-4, 6-3. This after his early demise last week in Monte-Carlo perhaps sounded alarm bells. Especially given his recent success at the UTS in Nimes and being one of the most consistent clay court stars.

Ruud served back-to-back double faults to nearly be broken in the first set but he held firm to win eight of the last nine points to swing the momentum firmly in his favour. He won 76% of points behind his second serve and hit 25 winners in all. This after a poor delivery on his first serve during the opening set of 52%.

Alex de Minaur also thrived as he continued his superb form. He eased past Tomas Martin Etcheverry after a superb week in Monte-Carlo which saw the Aussie ace demolish Grigor Dimitrov and Daniil Medvedev. He joins Ruud, Tsitsipas as well as Sebastian Baez, Arthur FIls and Laslo Djere in the next round. Carlos Alcaraz also to come today.