Stefanos Tsitsipas became only the 6th man in the Open Era and the first since Rafael Nadal to defend his title at the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday. He beat the unseeded Spaniard, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, 6-3, 7-6(3).
“It’s a great feeling because we had the crowd this year,” the third-seeded Greek said after his win. “It was a bit more lively than last year.” Davidovich Fokina, who knocked out Novak Djokovic in the second round and Indian Wells champ Taylor Fritz in the quarters was playing his first ATP final.
With his one-hour, 34-minute victory, Tsitsipas has become the sixth player to win back-to-back Monte Carlo Titles in the Open Era joining, Rafael Nadal (2005-12, 2016-18), Juan Carlos Ferrero (2002-03), Thomas Muster (1995-96), Bjorn Borg (1979-80) and Ilie Nastase (1971-73).
Tsitsipas overcame 2019 champion Fabio Fognini, Laslo Djere and 2nd Alexander Zverev in straight sets. He survived a major scare in the quarters courtesy Diego Schwartzman. Stefanos, showing incredible grit, came back from 0-4 in the deciding set to win 6-4.
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