BARCELONA, Spain — Holger Rune denied red-hot favourite Carlos Alcaraz a 3rd Barcelona Open trophy when he shocked the Spaniard 7-6 (6), 6-2 within the closing Sunday to elevate his first title in two years.
Alcaraz had gained the event in 2022 and 2023, however the prime seed appeared to be scuffling with an harm halfway by way of the match, permitting Rune to capitalize and win his first trophy because the Bavarian Open in April 2023.
However the title was properly deserved for Rune, who had additionally overwhelmed second seed Casper Ruud within the quarterfinals, whereas Alcaraz dropped to 3rd within the ATP rankings, beneath Alexander Zverev, who gained the Munich Open earlier Sunday.
“It means the world, it was such an incredible match. At first I used to be a bit harassed as a result of Carlos clearly performed big-time tennis and I needed to breathe quite a bit and discover my rhythm,” Rune mentioned.
Alcaraz was out of the blocks early within the opening set and placed on a present along with his highly effective baseline returns and the occasional drop shot that had Rune scrambling because the Spaniard broke to go up 3-2.
However in a span of some minutes, Rune broke proper again to even the set earlier than going up 4-3 to stun the followers watching at Spain’s oldest tennis membership. Alcaraz then discovered himself serving to remain within the set twice earlier than forcing a tiebreak.
Alcaraz saved two extra set factors within the tiebreak as Rune started to dictate factors as soon as once more and the Dane lastly transformed his fifth set level when the highest seed’s return went lengthy.
“When he broke me, I believe I bought extra into the match and I performed extra of my tennis. It was a giant battle within the first set,” Rune mentioned. “I understand how it feels to lose this sort of first set, it was tremendous vital to win it and acquire the momentum. So I am so happy with myself.”
Alcaraz took a 2-1 lead within the second set earlier than he took a medical timeout to take care of what seemed to be a difficulty with a thigh muscle or groin. He didn’t fare any higher on his return as Rune elevated his recreation.
The Dane was very efficient on the web, profitable 12 of 16 factors, whereas Alcaraz’s unforced error depend started to climb as the house followers groaned in frustration when Rune took a 5-2 lead.
Rune finally served to like as Alcaraz’s return hit the web on championship level, giving Rune the title.
The Dane then revealed he had taken notes from how Novak Djokovic beat Alcaraz within the Olympic closing at Roland Garros.
“I believed to myself, ‘OK, let’s attempt to play that form of fashion,’ actually make him play lots of balls,” Rune mentioned. “I am very pleased with how I stayed composed when it actually mattered. I used to be additionally very courageous when it mattered.”