Holger Rune shocks home favourite Carlos Alcaraz in the Barcelona Open final, securing his fifth ATP title and moving back into the world’s top 10
Holger Rune produced a sensational upset in the Barcelona Open final, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to claim his fifth ATP Tour title. The 21-year-old Dane, known for his fearless play, handled the pressure of facing the Spanish home favourite and secured a 7-6 (6), 6-2 victory, sending shockwaves through the tennis world.
Alcaraz had hoped to add a third Barcelona title to his collection and a second consecutive title after his recent win in Monte Carlo. However, his bid was thwarted by an injury concern and Rune’s composed performance. Alcaraz initially appeared in control, breaking Rune’s serve in the fifth game of the opening set. But Rune fought back, breaking Alcaraz and forcing a tie-break, which he claimed after a tense battle.
The first set proved pivotal, as Rune admitted it was a major psychological hurdle for him. “It was such a great match. In the beginning, I was a bit stressed because Carlos obviously played big-time tennis. I had to breathe a lot and find my rhythm,” Rune said after the match. The tie-break was closely contested, with Alcaraz failing to convert set points, and Rune emerging victorious.
In the second set, Alcaraz’s discomfort became apparent when he required treatment for a groin injury. Despite his efforts to push through, Rune remained unshaken and capitalised on his opponent’s physical struggles. The Spanish star had a final opportunity to turn the match around when he earned two break points in the sixth game. However, Rune stood firm, holding serve and ultimately sealing the victory to secure the title.
Rune’s victory not only earned him his fifth ATP Tour title but also saw him return to the top 10 in the world rankings. “It means the world,” Rune expressed after his win. “I’m so proud of myself for staying composed when it really mattered, and I was also very brave.” He added that he had drawn inspiration from Alcaraz’s defeat to Novak Djokovic in the Olympic final, thinking strategically about how to approach the match. “I kind of played it in my mind. I thought to myself, ‘OK, let’s try to play that kind of style, really make him play a lot of balls.’”
Rune’s resilience and mental fortitude were key in breaking Alcaraz’s momentum, especially after the Spaniard’s medical time-out. As the match progressed, it became clear that Alcaraz was struggling with the injury, and Rune seized the opportunity to claim victory in impressive fashion.
Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev celebrated his 28th birthday in style, winning the BMW Open in Munich with a 6-2, 6-4 win over second seed Ben Shelton. The German had been enduring a rough patch since reaching the Australian Open final earlier in the year but found his rhythm in Munich, clinching his third title at the tournament. Zverev was ecstatic about his victory, calling it a “great birthday present” and remarking, “It’s extremely special, I always love winning tournaments in Germany.”
Rune’s triumph in Barcelona not only signifies a major milestone in his career but also marks his continued rise in the ATP rankings, now firmly positioned as one of the sport’s most exciting young talents.
