Holger Rune achieved a remarkable upset over local hero Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets on Monday, clinching victory at the Barcelona Open for his first title since 2023.
The Danish player triumphed with a score of 7-6(6), 6-2, marking his first title since claiming victory in Munich two years ago and his fifth career title overall. This win also marked Rune’s inaugural ATP 500 title.
“This means everything to me; it was an incredible match,” Rune expressed.
“At the start, I felt a bit tense, as Carlos is known for playing at the highest level. I had to focus on my breathing and find my flow.
“After he broke me, I settled into the match and started to play my game. The first set was a tough contest; winning it was crucial for building my momentum. I’m really proud of the way I performed.”
Denmark’s Holger Rune celebrates following his victory at the ATP Barcelona Open. AP
Alcaraz approached the match riding a nine-match winning streak, which included his inaugural Monte Carlo Masters title last weekend. He aimed for his third title of the year and the 19th of his career, having previously won the Barcelona Open in 2022 and 2023.
Rune, who was the runner-up to Jack Draper at Indian Wells, fought back from a break down in the first set, converting his fourth set point to seize the upper hand. He dominated the second set against Alcaraz, who required medical attention for an upper leg issue on two occasions.
“I’m thrilled with how I maintained my composure during the key moments and showed real bravery,” Rune remarked.
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune post-match after the ATP Barcelona Open. AP
As a result of this defeat, Alcaraz is set to drop to No. 3 in the rankings, losing his No. 2 spot to Alexander Zverev, who secured his third Munich title on Monday.
“Congratulations to Holger on a fantastic week,” Alcaraz remarked.
“Coming here and putting in such a great effort for the enjoyment of the spectators in tennis means a lot. We’ve known each other since we were 12 years old. Time truly flies. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve both come. Let’s keep pushing forward.”
Denmark’s Holger Rune takes a celebratory leap into a pool after his triumph at the ATP Barcelona Open. AP
This marked the first ATP tour-level final featuring two players aged 21 and under since 2022, with both competitors just 21 years old.
Reaching the final in Barcelona also guarantees Rune’s return to the top 10, pushing him up to No. 9 in the rankings. The sixth seed had previously been forced to retire from his opening match in Monte Carlo due to food poisoning.
The Madrid Open is set to commence on Monday.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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