Rune Triumphs Over Alcaraz in Barcelona Final, Secures First ATP Title in Two Years

Barcelona — Holger Rune delivered a fearless and clinical performance on Sunday to defeat hometown favorite Carlos Alcaraz and capture the Barcelona Open title, marking the Dane’s biggest triumph since his Paris Masters win in 2022.

Rune, 21, held his nerve in the tightest moments and matched Alcaraz’s intensity from the baseline, sealing a 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 victory in front of a stunned Spanish crowd. It was a display of composure and tactical precision, capping off a remarkable turnaround after being forced to retire from last week’s Monte Carlo Masters due to illness.

Inspired by Novak Djokovic’s Olympic victory over Alcaraz at Roland Garros, Rune said he used that memory to guide his approach.

“I told myself, ‘OK, what did Novak do when he beat him?’” Rune said after the win. “I kind of played it in my mind, the Olympic final, and I thought, ‘Let’s try to play that kind of style — make him play a lot of balls.’ I’m really happy with how I stayed composed. I was also very brave when it mattered.”

Alcaraz, the defending champion and two-time winner in Barcelona, struggled to capitalize on key opportunities, failing to convert any of his four break points in the second set. He also required a medical timeout early in the second frame and never fully regained momentum.

The opening set was a high-octane battle between two players born just six days apart, and who have been rivals since their junior days. Alcaraz broke first, showcasing his trademark forehand power, but Rune responded immediately and forced a tiebreak, where the Spaniard’s long forehand error handed Rune the edge.

Alcaraz had further chances to break early in the second set but faded after the medical break at 2-1. Rune rattled off five consecutive games, showing superior touch at the net — winning 12 of 16 net points — and limiting his unforced errors to 24, compared to Alcaraz’s 33.

Rune’s victory propels him back into the ATP top 10, while Alcaraz will slip to world No. 3 on Monday, overtaken by Germany’s Alexander Zverev. Zverev celebrated his 28th birthday in style by winning the Munich Open, defeating Ben Shelton in the final to collect his first title of the season.

In doubles action, Britain’s Luke Johnson and Dutch partner Sander Arends claimed the men’s title with a 6-3, 6-7 (1-7), 10-6 win over compatriots Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski.

Both Rune and Alcaraz are scheduled to compete in the Madrid Masters, which begins Tuesday, promising more fireworks in an already thrilling clay-court season.