Ruud beats Tsitsipas to win Barcelona Open for biggest career title a week after loss in Monte Carlo

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Casper Ruud took his revenge against Stefanos Tsitsipas by winning the Barcelona Open final in straight sets on Sunday for his biggest career title, a week after losing to the Greek in the Monte Carlo Masters final.

Ruud won 7-5, 6-3 for his first title of the season after losing the three other finals he played this year.

“Honestly, this has been worth the wait,” Ruud said after the triumph in Barcelona. “A lot of finals that I’ve lost have been tough, a bit disappointing, of course. Any time you reach a final, it’s nonetheless a good week, so you can’t be too hard on yourself, but this one has been a long time coming."

Seventh-ranked Tsitsipas had comfortably won in straight sets in Monte Carlo but this time Ruud prevailed, converting three of the six break points he earned.

“I’m super happy to do it here in Barcelona in front of a packed stadium and on Rafa Nadal Court," the sixth-ranked Ruud said. "It’s special to me because I looked up to him (Nadal) all my childhood, came here myself as a 13-year-old boy to watch him and the others play here. It’s a great feeling.”

Ruud is eyeing next month’s French Open after finishing runner-up at Roland Garros last year, one of three Grand Slam finals he has lost.

The 25-year-old Norwegian snapped a 10-match winning streak for Tsitsipas, who was 10-0 on clay this season and was seeking his 12th career title. Tsitsipas had lost all three of his previous Barcelona finals — in 2018, 2021 and 2023.

It was the 11th career title for Ruud, and the 10th on clay. His last title had been in Estoril in April 2023.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece plays a shot to Casper Ruud of Norway during the final of the Barcelona Open tennis tournament in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Casper Ruud of Norway serves to Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during the final of the Barcelona Open tennis tournament in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Casper Ruud of Norway returns the ball to Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during the final of the Barcelona Open tennis tournament in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Casper Ruud of Norway poses with the trophy after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 7-5, 6-3 during the final of the Barcelona Open tennis tournament in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece reacts after losing to Casper Ruud of Norway 7-5, 6-3 during the final of the Barcelona Open tennis tournament in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece reacts after losing to Casper Ruud of Norway 7-5, 6-3 during the final of the Barcelona Open tennis tournament in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Casper Ruud of Norway celebrates after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 7-5, 6-3 during the final of the Barcelona Open tennis tournament in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece Casper Ruud of Norway during the final of the Barcelona Open tennis tournament in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Casper Ruud of Norway lifts the trophy after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 7-5, 6-3 during the final of the Barcelona Open tennis tournament in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Casper Ruud of Norway lifts the trophy after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, right, 7-5, 6-3 during the final of the Barcelona Open tennis tournament in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

PHOENIX (AP) — A judge on Friday rejected an effort by GOP lawmakers to use the term “unborn human being” to refer to a fetus in the pamphlet that Arizona voters will use to weigh a ballot measure that would expand abortion access in the state.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Christopher Whitten said the wording the legislative council suggested is “packed with emotion and partisan meaning” and asked for what he called more “neutral” language. The measure aims to expand abortion access from 15 weeks to 24 weeks – the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb.

It would allow exemptions to save the woman’s life or to protect her physical or mental health. It would also prevent the state from adopting or enforcing laws that would forbid access to the procedure.

Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma, who is a co-chair of the legislative council, said the group will appeal the court’s decision to the state Supreme Court.

“The ruling is just plain wrong and clearly partisan,” said Toma, a Republican.

Aaron Thacker, communications director for Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, noted that the final decision on the ballot itself remains in the air.

“There’s still a lot of scenarios at play," he said. "Even after the secretary certifies the signatures, the courts have to decide if counties can put it on the ballot or not."

Arizona for Abortion Access, the organization leading the ballot measure campaign, sued the council earlier this month over the suggested language and advocated for the term “fetus,” which the council rejected.

Attorney General Kris Mayes wrote in a motion to submit an amicus brief that “fetus" and “pregnancy” are both neutral terms that the council could adopt.

“It’s incredibly important to us that Arizona voters get to learn more about and weigh our measure in objective and accurate terminology,” said Dawn Penich, communications director for the abortion access group.

Democrats have centered abortion rights in their campaigns in this year’s elections. Organizers in five other states have also proposed similar measures that would codify abortion access in their state constitutions: Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada and South Dakota.

Arizona organizers submitted more than double the amount of signatures needed for the measure to appear on the ballot.

FILE - Arizona abortion-rights supporters deliver over 800,000 petition signatures to the capitol to get abortion rights on the November general election ballot July 3, 2024, in Phoenix. A judge on Friday, July 26, rejected an effort by GOP lawmakers to use the term “unborn human being” to refer to a fetus in the pamphlet that Arizona voters will use to decide on a ballot measure that would expand abortion access in the state. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)