BarcelonaDane earns fifth ATP Tour trophy, first since 2023
April 20, 2025
MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images
Holger Rune defeats Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the final of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. By Jerome Coombe
Holger Rune put an abrupt end to Carlos Alcaraz’s nine-match winning streak on Sunday at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, where the Dane captured his first title of the season.
The sixth seed prevailed 7-6(6), 6-2 in a high-octane final to earn his fifth ATP Tour trophy. Rune rallied from a break deficit in the opener and converted his fourth set point. He then soared clear in the second to deny Alcaraz, who took a medical timeout, a way back in.
“It means the world, it was such a great match,” said Rune. “In the beginning, I was a little bit stressed, because Carlos obviously plays big-time tennis. I had to breathe a lot and find my rhythm. After he broke me, I got more into the match and played my tennis. The first set was a big battle, it was super important to win it and gain the momentum. I’m so proud of myself.”
THE GREAT DANE 🇩🇰@holgerrune2003 takes down Alcaraz 7-6(6) 6-2 to clinch his first ATP 500 crown! 👑@bcnopenbs | #BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/NRqBCwSXgD
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 20, 2025
Both players traded heavy blows from the baseline and mixed in variation to disrupt the rhythm, but it was Rune who held firm amid a lively atmosphere on Pista Rafa Nadal. He saved all four of the break points he faced in the second set, according to Infosys ATP Stats, while Alcaraz twice took treatment on his upper right leg.
Rune was forced to retire from his Monte-Carlo opener last week with food poisoning, but quickly adjusted to the Barcelona clay with a string of impressive performances. The 21-year-old dispatched defending champion Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals and delivered a statement performance over 18-time tour-level winner Alcaraz to earn his third title on the surface.
Just by reaching the final in Barcelona, Rune ensured he will return to the Top 10 in the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday, surging from No. 13 to No. 9. Alcaraz was aiming to hold his No. 2 spot by claiming a third title of the season (also Rotterdam, Monte-Carlo), but Alexander Zverev will return to that position after triumphing in Munich.
In the first tour-level final between two players aged 21-and-under since 2022, Rune flipped the script in a topsy-turvy opening set. After falling behind an early break, the Dane won eight consecutive points to swing the momentum firmly in his favour. Alcaraz saved two set points on serve at 4-5 — the second was with an expertly disguised drop shot — but ultimately surrendered the tie-break with his 10th forehand unforced error of the set.
“When I got broken in the first set, I thought to myself that I don’t need to hit every shot on the line,” added Rune. “So I [asked] myself: ‘What did Novak do when he beat him?’ I played it in my mind, the Olympics final, and tried to play that style, making a lot of balls. I’m very happy with how I stayed composed when it mattered, and I was really brave.”
Alcaraz took an off-court medical timeout after the third game of the second set, and was unable to tally any further games upon his return to court. The Spaniard appeared hampered and attempted to shorten the points, but couldn’t contain his unforced error count, which rose to 33. With his one-hour, 41-minute victory, Rune levelled his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Alcaraz at 2-2.
“Congratulations Holger on an amazing week,” Alcaraz said to Rune during the trophy ceremony. “Coming from Monte-Carlo, [where] you had to retire. Coming here and showing a great effort to make the people enjoy watching tennis, I appreciate that. We’ve been seeing each other since [we were] 12 years old. Time flies. I’m really happy to see us in this position, how far we’ve [come]. Keep going.”
