Tsitsipas successfully defends title in Monte Carlo with win over Davidovich Fokina

Stefanos Tsitsipas became the first repeat champion at the Monte Carlo Masters since Rafael Nadal in 2018 with a 6-3, 7-6 (3) win against unseeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Sunday.

"It's a great feeling because we had the crowd this year," the third-seeded Greek said after winning the first big final of the clay-court season. "It was a bit more lively than last year."

Tsitsipas won the first set despite conceding an early break. Davidovic Fokina overcame an early break in the second and broke twice.

Tsitsipas squandered a chance to serve out the match at 5-4 but still wrapped up the final in 1 hour, 34 minutes.

"I am very proud of myself," Tsitsipas said. "Things weren't going well at one point, but I managed to stay composed."

WATCH l Tsitsipas defeats Davidovich Fokina for Monte Carlo Masters title: