MONTE CARLO: Stefanos Tsitsipas captured back-to-back crowns at the Monte Carlo Masters with a workmanlike 6-3 7-6 (3) win over first-time ATP Tour finalist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Sunday, claiming his first title of the 2022 season.

The Greek world number five Tsitsipas’ second Masters 1000 title comes at the perfect time for the 23-year-old, who is hoping to improve on his runner-up finish at last year’s French Open and claim a maiden Grand Slam title this year. It was the 23-year-old’s eighth ATP title and first in 11 months.

“Not in a million years would I have thought I would be in the situation I’m in today,” Tsitsipas said.

“I’m very proud of the amount of belief I had in my game.

“He fought in moments I didn’t really expect him to fight and hit some incredible winners. I believe that’s a great result against him.”

He joins an illustrious list of players to win back-to-back Monte Carlo Masters, including Rafael Nadal, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Thomas Muster and Bjorn Borg.

Tsitsipas, who beat Andrey Rublev in the Monte Carlo final 12 months ago, has now won four clay tournaments in his career.

Davidovich Fokina had knocked out world number one Djokovic earlier this week but could not repeat those heroics in his first ATP final, losing for the third time in as many meetings with Tsitsipas.

“I always thought about being in the final here one day... I hope to be here again next year,” said Davidovich Fokina, who also reached the quarter-finals last year before retiring injured after one set against Tsitsipas.

The world number 46 struck first on Sunday, breaking in the third game, but Tsitsipas hit straight back with a magnificent forehand up the line to level the first set at 2-2.

The set remained on serve until game eight, when Tsitsipas broke as Davidovich Fokina fired a backhand into the tramlines.

The Greek star wrapped up the opener with a hold to love, capped off by an ace.

Tsitsipas carved out two break points in the first game of the second set, and took total control of the final as Davidovich Fokina sent a baseline shot spinning long.

The underdog continued to battle hard, though, breaking back in the fourth game as Tsitsipas framed a backhand into the crowd, with 22-year-old Davidovich Fokina waving his arms in delight.

But Tsitsipas continued to put the Spaniard under pressure and took his third break point of a marathon game to lead 5-4 and tee up the chance to serve for the title.

Tsitsipas produced a nervy game, though, and Davidovich Fokina powered away a smash to extend the match.

The second set went into a tie-break, where Tsitsipas raced into a 5-1 lead with the aid of a shot which clipped the net cord and landed on the edge of the sideline.

Davidovich Fokina saved one championship point, but Tsitsipas secured the trophy at the second time of asking with a wonderful passing shot after some defiant defence by him.

On Saturday, Tsitsipas showed no signs of fatigue following Friday’s marathon battle as he eased past German Alexander Zverev 6-4 6-2 to reach the final.

Davidovich Fokina beat Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-7(2) 6-3 in a see-saw clash earlier.

All eyes, however, were on the Tsitsipas v Zverev clash.

Tsitsipas was twice up a break in the opening set but allowed Zverev to steal his serve back in the third and ninth games.

He sealed the set on the German’s serve with a perfect slice. Tsitsipas dominated the second set from the baseline and grabbed a decisive break to move 4-2 up when Zverev’s forehand sailed long.

He won the following game to love before breaking again with a blistering passing shot to wrap up the match in just 75 minutes.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2022