Tsitsipas defends Monte-Carlo Masters title with victory over Davidovich-Fokina in final

Stefanos Tsitsipas played a well-balanced match to take down Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the Monte-Carlo Masters final 6-3, 7-6(4) to defend his title.

The Spanish player played in his first Tour-level final and boy what a final it was. It wasn't a great one tnenis-wise because neither player really played to their best but it was a fun and energetic one with both players determine to win it. Fokina opened it a bit nervous yet it did not show up on his play as he was able to take a 2-1 lead.

He did show nerves in the very next game where he dropped his serve without winning a single point. The Spaniard bravely elected to be the more aggressive player attacking in the rallies. It might have to do with the fact that he played a lot of tennis and a shorter match would be better for him.

That approach worked at times but after he dropped his serve, he started missing, and he missed a lot. Tsitsipas was able to take a 5-3 lead and close it out with 6-3. The 2nd set opened with an early break by Tsitsipas who seemed in control of the match. Fokina was nowhere to be seen but Tsitsipas played a terrible game at 2-1 for him to give his serve away.

That energized the Spaniard who started playing much better with Tsitsipas upping his game as well. We were seeing very good tennis by both. Eventually, Tsitsipas got a few break points and he was able to take a 5-4 lead.

But was sent all the way to a tie-break which the Greek seized with ease 7-3 to seal the title once more.