The Greek relished a return to clay in Monte-Carlo where he won a third title. He beat Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner on his way to the final where beat Casper Ruud 6-1 6-4.
The 25-year-old had a positive start in Barcelona, defeating Sebastian Ofner 6-4 7-5 and Roberto Carballes Baena 7-5 6-3. He did it tougher in the quarter finals, coming back to beat Facundo Diaz Acosta 4-6 6-3 7-6.
Tsitsipas fell behind again in the semi-finals, overcoming Dusan Lajovic 5-7 6-4 6-2 after winning 60% of his 2nd serves and saving 2/3 break points.
Casper Ruud is 28-7 this year, reaching two finals on hard courts, runner-up in Los Cabos and Acapulco.
The Norwegian started the clay court swing in Estoril, unable to defend his title after a semi-final defeat to Pedro Martinez.
The 25-year-old had a strong start in Monte-Carlo and took out top seed Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. He was outplayed in the final, going down 6-1 6-4 to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Ruud hasn’t lost a set in Barcelona, beating Alexandre Muller 6-3 6-4, Jordan Thompson 6-1 6-4, Matteo Arnaldi 6-4 6-3 and Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6 6-4.
