Ruud into another final but first at Barcelona
World No.6 Casper Ruud will play his fourth final of 2024 and his second on clay against Stefanos Tsitsipas in a week after reaching the Barcelona Open showpiece by defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in their semi-final.
Ruud lost out to Tsitsipas when the Greek won a third Monte Carlo Masters crown a week ago, but the Norwegian will be looking to go one better in his first Barcelona Open final.
No.3 seed Ruud saved one set point on serve in the first-set tie-break before he recovered from squandering a break advantage in the second set to triumph after one hour and 58 minutes.
"Tomas is a fantastic player," the 25-year-old said. "He has improved a lot in the past two, three years. I have a lot of respect for him.
"He could have easily won the first set today. I had some set points and he had one. I am very happy with the level. I think it was a high quality match, the best level I have played in Barcelona."