Tsitsipas retains Monte Carlo title

Final day in Monte Carlo.

2022 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters - an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, on Clay, in Monte Carlo, Monaco, 11-17 April 2022.

Defending champion:

Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) who defeated Andrey Rublev (6) 6-3 6-3

Final:

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (Spain) v Stefanos Tsitsipas (3) (Greece)

Tsitsipas had won both previous contests between the pair - first round in Rotterdam, February this year, and the quarters in Monte Carlo last year where Davidovich Fokina was forced to retire after dropping the first set.

This was to be the first ATP final for Davidovich Fokina, whereas Tsitsipas was competing in his 19th final, and looking for an eighth title.

In set one, service breaks were exchanged early and it was 2-2. Thereafter, serve was not under threat until the eighth game.

Davidovich Fokina was ahead 30-15, but two forehand errors from him, one into the net and one long, gave Tsitsipas a break point.

A wild Spanish backhand gifted the break to Tsitsipas who led 5-3 and would serve for the set.

Tsitsipas obliged with a love game, displaying excellent defensive skills and finishing with an ace. 6-3.

Set two began with Tsitsipas continuing his run. Davidovich Fokina netted two backhands, the second a failed attempt at a drop shot.

A forehand winner from the Davidovich Fokina racquet offered brief respite before a wide forehand presented two break points to Tsitsipas.

Another poor ground stroke confirmed a service break and Tsitsipas led 1-0.

Serving at 2-1, Tsitsipas committed four errors, most of these forced by the attack of Davidovich Fokina, and the break back occurred.

At 4-4, Davidovich Fokina saved two break points, saw two game points disappear, and then dropped serve on the third break point which arrived.

Tsitsipas led 5-4 and would serve for the match.

At 15-0, Davidovich Fokina’s drop shot set up a backhand pass and 15-15. A mishit backhand from Tsitsipas, followed by a netted backhand off the same racquet, and Davidovich Fokina had two break back points. All this was coming from the Spaniards brilliant returning.

Tsitsipas saved one break point with high class all court tennis ended with a winner at the net, but Davidovich Fokina converted the second with an equally fine combination of shot making, also concluded with a winner at the net.

5-5 ultimately became 6-6 and a necessary tie break.

Tsitsipas was in control of the tie break once Davidovich Fokina lost both of his two points when serving at 1-2. 

Although he retrieved one to trail 2-5, Davidovich Fokina’s loose forehand next point gave Tsitsipas 6-2 and four match points.

One was saved, but when Davidovich Fokina’s lunging attempt at a backhand landed wide, the match was over.

Stefanos Tsitsipas had successfully defended his Monte Carlo Masters title 6-3 7-6(3).