In a stunning turn of events at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell on Sunday, Holger Rune defeated top seed Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(6), 6-2 to claim his first title in two years. The 20-year-old Dane showcased exceptional skill and composure to overcome the defending champion and fan favorite, who appeared to struggle with an injury during the match.
Alcaraz, who had won the tournament in 2022 and 2023, started strong with powerful baseline returns and strategic drop shots, breaking Rune to take a 3-2 lead in the first set. However, Rune quickly retaliated, breaking back to level the score and then going up 4-3, much to the surprise of the local crowd.
The first set escalated into a tense tiebreak, with Alcaraz saving multiple set points before Rune finally secured it on his fifth opportunity. “It means the world,” Rune said after the match. “In the beginning, I was a bit stressed because Carlos obviously played big-time tennis, and I had to breathe a lot and find my rhythm.”
The momentum shifted further in Rune’s favor in the second set when Alcaraz called for a medical timeout due to what appeared to be a thigh or groin issue. Upon returning to the court, Alcaraz struggled to regain his form, while Rune elevated his game, showing remarkable effectiveness at the net and capitalizing on his opponent’s increasing unforced errors.
Rune dominated the remainder of the match, ultimately serving to love to clinch the championship as Alcaraz’s return hit the net on match point. “I know how it feels to lose this kind of first set; it was super important to win it and gain the momentum,” Rune reflected. “I’m so proud of myself.”
This victory marks Rune’s first title since winning the Bavarian Open in April 2023 and includes a significant win over second seed Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals. Alcaraz, meanwhile, dropped to third in the ATP rankings, overtaken by Alexander Zverev, who won the Munich Open earlier the same day.
Rune credited his strategic approach for his success, drawing inspiration from how Novak Djokovic defeated Alcaraz in a previous match. “I thought to myself, ‘Okay, let’s try to play that kind of style,’ really make him play a lot of balls,” he said. “I’m very happy with how I stayed composed when it really mattered. I was also very brave when it mattered.”
