Holger Rune shocked the tennis world by defeating home favorite Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to win the Barcelona Open. The 21-year-old Dane showed composure and courage, clinching the match 7-6 (6), 6-2 in a powerful performance.
Alcaraz entered the final seeking his third Barcelona title but struggled with a groin issue in the second set. Despite breaking Rune early, the Spaniard couldn’t maintain his momentum, eventually calling for a medical timeout as Rune gained control.
The victory marks Rune’s fifth ATP Tour title and returns him to the world’s top 10. He credited his mental strength and tactical approach, drawing inspiration from Alcaraz’s past losses to devise a successful strategy.
Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev celebrated his birthday with a third Munich title after defeating Ben Shelton. With Zverev’s rise, Alcaraz will fall to No. 3 in the rankings, adding another twist to an already thrilling tennis season.
