Holger Rune beats Carlos Alcaraz to claim Barcelona Open title
Danish player Holger Rune ends Alcaraz’s bid for a third straight title with a straight-sets win.
Holger Rune captured his first ATP 500 title on Sunday, defeating top seed Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(6), 6-2 in the final of the Barcelona Open. The 21-year-old Dane delivered a composed performance, seizing the first set in a tight tiebreak before dominating the second set to secure his fifth career ATP title and first since 2023. Rune’s victory also ended Alcaraz’s nine-match winning streak in Barcelona, where the Spaniard had been champion in 2022 and 2023.
Alcaraz, who had played ten matches in twelve days, appeared physically taxed during the final. He called for medical attention early in the second set due to discomfort in his right leg, which seemed to hinder his movement and shot selection. Despite the setback, Alcaraz fought valiantly but was unable to match Rune’s consistency.
The win marks a significant milestone in Rune’s 2025 season, which has seen him reach the final at Indian Wells and now claim a prestigious clay-court title. His path to the Barcelona crown included a quarter-final victory over defending champion Casper Ruud. With this triumph, Rune returns to the ATP Top 10, now ranked No. 9.
For Alcaraz, the loss is part of an overall strong season that includes titles in Rotterdam and Monte Carlo. However, the defeat sees him drop to No. 3 in the ATP rankings, overtaken by Alexander Zverev following the German’s win in Munich.
Inside the Baseline…
Rune’s victory over Alcaraz in Barcelona shows the depth of talent among the sport’s younger generation. As the clay season progresses, Rune’s performance positions him as a strong contender for the title at Roland Garros, adding excitement to the upcoming tournaments for fans as there is yet another player that can challenge Alcaraz and Sinner at Grand Slams.
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