Brilliant Rune stuns Alcaraz to win Barcelona title
The Dane clinched his fifth career title with a superb all-round performance
Alcaraz and Rune after 2025 Barcelona’s final © AP Photo/Joan Monfort/SIPA
Holger Rune produced a tactical masterclass as he beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (6), 6-2 on Sunday to win the Barcelona Open title.
The Dane won a tense first set on his fifth set point and then, after a fading Alcaraz needed treatment for what seemed to be a leg-related injury, took advantage to run through the second and clinch his fifth career title.
Rune will return to the top 10 when the rankings are updated on Monday and the Dane said the first set was key.
“It means the world to me,” he said, of the win. “At the beginning Carlos was playing amazing tennis. I had to find a rhythm. Then it was a big battle in the first set. The first set was extremely important. I’m so proud of myself.”
Alcaraz fades after tight first set
Alcaraz went into the match as favourite, on home soil, on a nine-match winning streak after winning the title in Monte-Carlo last week.
But Rune had beaten Casper Ruud and Karen Khachanov on his way to the final and from the moment he recovered an early break, it was clear that he meant business.
At 5-4, he had two set points on the Alcaraz serve but couldn’t take them and the set went to a tiebreak. Alcaraz raced ahead 3-1 but Rune continued to fight and took it 8-6 on his fifth set point.
The second set was nip and tuck early on but after Alcaraz left court for treatment on what seemed to be a hip-related injury, he was never quite the same and Rune took control, coming forward well (he was 12 of 16 at the net) and finishing the match on Alcaraz’s 33rd unforced error.
Despite his defeat, Alcaraz was full of praise for Rune in the trophy ceremony.
“Congratulations Holger on an amazing week,” he said. “Coming from Monte-Carlo, you had to retire…coming here and showing a great effort to make the people enjoy watching tennis, I appreciate that.
“We’ve been seeing each other since 12 years old. Time flies. I’m really happy to see us in this position, how far we’ve (come). Keep going.”
