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Home Tennis Holger Rune Ends Alcaraz’s Streak to Claim Barcelona Open Title

Holger Rune Ends Alcaraz’s Streak to Claim Barcelona Open Title

Holger Rune ended Carlos Alcaraz’s nine-match winning streak on Sunday by winning the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. The 21-year-old Dane captured his first title of the season with a 7-6(6), 6-2 victory in the final.

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Rune, seeded sixth, earned his fifth ATP Tour title in an intense match. He came back from an early break in the first set and converted his fourth set point in the tie-break. In the second set, Rune quickly took control while Alcaraz struggled physically and took a medical timeout.

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“It means the world, it was such a great match,” Rune said. “I was a little stressed at the start because Carlos plays at such a high level. I had to focus on breathing and finding my rhythm. After he broke me, I played better and more confidently. The first set was a big fight, and winning it gave me momentum. I’m really proud.”

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Both players hit powerful shots from the baseline and used variety to keep each other off balance. But Rune stayed composed and strong throughout the match, especially in front of the energetic crowd at Pista Rafa Nadal. He saved all four break points he faced in the second set, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Alcaraz, meanwhile, received treatment twice for an issue with his upper right leg.

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Rune had withdrawn from his Monte Carlo opener last week due to food poisoning. But in Barcelona, he quickly adapted to the clay and delivered a series of solid performances. He beat defending champion Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals and defeated Alcaraz, an 18-time tour-level winner, in the final. This marked Rune’s third clay-court title.

By reaching the final, Rune will move from No. 13 to No. 9 in the PIF ATP Rankings, returning to the Top 10. Alcaraz, who hoped to defend his No. 2 ranking by winning his third title of the year (after Rotterdam and Monte Carlo), will drop to No. 3. Alexander Zverev, who won in Munich, will take over the No. 2 spot.

This was the first ATP final between two players aged 21 and under since 2022. Rune overcame an early break in the first set by winning eight points in a row. Alcaraz saved two set points at 4-5, including one with a clever drop shot, but he lost the tie-break after his 10th forehand unforced error.

“When I got broken in the first set, I told myself I didn’t need to hit every shot perfectly,” Rune explained. “I thought about what Novak [Djokovic] did when he beat Carlos at the Olympics. I tried to play that style—keep the ball in play, stay calm, and be brave. I’m really happy I stayed composed when it mattered.”

Alcaraz took a medical timeout after the third game of the second set and couldn’t win another game afterward. He tried to shorten points, but his unforced errors increased to 33. Rune’s win, which took one hour and 41 minutes, evens their Lexus ATP Head2Head record at 2-2.

“Congratulations Holger on an amazing week,” Alcaraz said during the trophy ceremony. “You had to retire in Monte Carlo, but came here and played great tennis. You made the fans enjoy the match. We’ve known each other since we were 12. Time flies. I’m happy to see how far we’ve come. Keep going.”

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