BARCELONA, Spain — In a stunning upset, Holger Rune triumphed over local favorite Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets on Sunday, clinching his first title since 2023 at the prestigious Barcelona Open.
Rune showcased his skill by defeating Alcaraz with a score of 7-6 (6), 6-2, marking his first win since claiming the Munich title two years ago and his fifth overall. This victory also crowned him with his inaugural ATP 500 title.
“This victory means everything to me; it was an incredible match,” Rune expressed. “At the start, I felt a bit tense because Carlos plays at such a high level. I had to focus on my breathing to find my rhythm. After he broke my serve, I found my footing and began to play my own game. Winning the first set was crucial for gaining momentum, and I’m genuinely proud of how I managed it.”
Alcaraz entered the match on a remarkable nine-match winning streak, having recently secured his first Monte Carlo Masters title. He aimed for his third title of the year and 19th overall, seeking to defend his back-to-back Barcelona Open titles from 2022 and 2023.
Rune, who previously finished as the runner-up to Jack Draper at Indian Wells, overcame a break down in the first set before converting his fourth set point. He surged through the second set against Alcaraz, who required treatment on his upper right leg twice during the match.
“I’m really pleased with how I maintained my composure when it counted the most, and I felt truly courageous during the match,” Rune added.
As a result of this match, Alcaraz will lose his No. 2 ranking to Alexander Zverev, who secured his third title in Munich on the same day.
“Congratulations to Holger for an incredible week,” Alcaraz remarked. “You’ve put in a tremendous effort here, and it’s great to see the crowd enjoying the tennis. We’ve known each other since we were both 12 years old, and it’s amazing to see where we are now.”
This final marked the first ATP tour-level face-off between two players aged 21 and under since 2022, as both players are 21 years old.
By reaching the final in Barcelona, Rune has secured his return to the top 10, and he will rise to No. 9 in the rankings. After being forced to retire from his Monte Carlo opener due to food poisoning, this victory is particularly sweet for the sixth seed.
The excitement continues as the Madrid Open kicks off on Monday.
