Holger Rune survives Carlos Alcaraz and Conquest Barcelona | ATP Tour

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Rune survives Alcaraz and Conquista Barcelona

The Danish achieves its greatest title on beaten land

April 20, 2025

Holger Rune wants his place on the first line of ATP Tour. The Danish won the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell Cup, defeating 7-6 (6), 6-2 to the two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz to sign one of the most emotional victories of his career. With just 23 years, the Scandinavian completed a breast of whipped land and sent a clear message to the best: among the young generation that has taken over, there is a place located for its great talent.

No. 13 of the PIF ATP Rankings knew how to overcome a totally overturned scenario in favor of its rival, in one of the most emblematic enclosures of Spanish tennis. With a track Rafa Nadal fills to the flag, the fans chanted the name of Alcaraz, mounted on a streak of 14 consecutive victories in the tournament. That atmosphere, with the opportunity to conquer a third trophy in the city, was compensated by the energy of a Rune determined to achieve victory.

“It means everything to me, it has been a great game,” said Rune, who matched (2-2) the history Lexus ATP Head2head. “At first I felt something stressed, because Carlos plays at a huge level. I had to breathe and find my rhythm. When the serve broke, I entered the game and made my tennis. The first set has been a battle, it was very important to win it and take it impulse. I am very proud of myself.”

The Danish had to sweat to catch the 5th ATP Tour titles of his career, won after a demonstration of physical splendor in the clay. Rune was able to respond to the infernal Alcaraz ball rhythm, with race blows that were left in everyone’s retina. The Scandinavian was able to recover to a rupture in the first manga, assimilated a double un exploted set ball (4-5 15/40) and remitted in an adverse tie from the beginning. In that tiebreaker, which Carlos came to dominate 3-1, Holger showed a heart that opened the doors to everything in Barcelona.

On a day of strong winds on the track, the Danish kept emotions. That intensity was palpable on both sides of the network, with Alcaraz needing a break in the middle of the second partial. The Spanish had to leave for the changing rooms with a 2-1 advantage and failed to win another game in the game after his return. With nine consecutive victories after Coronar Montecarlo, the Murcia was not able to turn a game of enormous demand against one of the main rivals of his generation.

“When I lost the service in the first set I thought I didn’t need to put each blow on the line,” said Rune, that this Monday will return to the top 10 of the PIF ATP Rankings. “What does Novak do to defeat him? I have thought about the final of the Olympic Games, I tried to apply that style, putting many balls. I’m glad to have kept calm when it was important, I have been very brave.”

Rune has completed an unforgettable week in the beaten land of the Ciudad Ciudad, planting face to great referents on the surface. The Danish made way to the title delivering just a manga throughout the tournament, including victories against the experienced local Albert Ramos-Viñolas and about the current Casper Ruud champion in the quarterfinals, an impeccable impulse before beating Alcaraz in the decisive match.

“We have been playing together since we were 12 years old,” Alcaraz said during the awards ceremony, remembering the long road they have traveled hand in hand as rivals since their junior time. Time flies! I’m glad to see each other in this position and see how far we have come together. Congratulations and keep working. “

Alcaraz gave continuity to a season of whipped land that has begun in a sensational way. The Murcian, champion of the ATP Masters 1000 of Montecarlo last week, was one step away from linking titles on the surface in a year of special responsibility in this type of track. With the Vitola of current Roland Garros champion, Juan Carlos Ferrero’s pupil will be an exceptional protagonist the next two weeks on the slopes of Mutua Madrid Open, where he will seek to compete hand in hand with the Spanish fans.

Alcaraz will descend to No. 3 of the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday, being relieved in the second world position by Alexander Zverev. The German added enough points after being crowned champion for the third time on the clay of the BMW Open by Bitpanda in Munich.

Did you know what …?
Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune starred in an outcome full of fresh air on the whipped land of Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. Spanish and Danish played the youngest final that has lived the ATP 500 Catalan since Rafael Nadal (19) defeated Tommy Robredo (23) to raise the individual trophy in the 2006 edition.