GENEVA – Casper Ruud of Norway retained his Geneva Open title by beating Joao Sousa 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (1) in the final.
One day before the French Open starts in Paris, eighth-ranked Ruud’s seventh career title on clay courts lifted his record in finals to 8-3.
The Norwegian has never been beyond the third round at Roland Garros. Ruud has been drawn in the first round against French fans’ favorite, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who will retire after the tournament.
Ruud’s preparation was a three-hour match that was the longest three-set final on the ATP Tour this season.
He was a break of service down in the third set then recovered to create two match-point chances that he wasted before the tiebreaker.
“It was one of the craziest matches that I have ever played,” Ruud said according to AP.
Sousa was runner-up at Geneva for a second time, and his ranking will rise from No. 79 to No. 63.
Elsewhere, Martina Trevisan of Italy won her first WTA title after beating Claire Liu of the United States 6-2, 6-1 in the final of the Grand Prix Sar La Princesse Lalla Meryem.
The No. 85-ranked Trevisan and No. 92-ranked Liu were playing their first career final.
Trevisan was under some pressure to save eight of nine break points. But Liu made 44 unforced errors.
“I would like to dedicate this trophy to my dad. He can’t see me in this moment but I know he would be very proud of me,” Trevisan said after the final.
“He is a fighter like me during this week, but during his whole life — so this is for you, dad.”
Meanwhile, Britain’s Cameron Norrie won his second ATP title of the year when he beat Alex Molcan of Slovakia 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-1 in the Lyon Open final.
Norrie missed two match points on Molcan’s serve in the second set, but took his third chance to end the final after 2½ hours.
“It is my first title on the clay so it means a lot to me,” No. 11-ranked Norrie said.
His fourth career ATP singles title followed Delray Beach in February.
Molcan, ranked No. 47, was going for his first title.
