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 remaining Sunday to raise his first title in two years.
Alcaraz had gained the event in 2022 and 2023, however the high seed appeared to be battling an damage 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 ideal 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 lots and discover my rhythm,” Rune stated.
Alcaraz was out of the blocks early within the opening set and placed on a present together 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.
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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 feel I bought extra into the match and I performed extra of my tennis. It was an enormous battle within the first set,” Rune stated. “I understand how it feels to lose this sort of first set, it was tremendous essential to win it and achieve the momentum. So I am so pleased 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 sport.
The Dane was very efficient on the internet, 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 ultimately 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 remaining at Roland Garros.
“I believed to myself, ‘OK, let’s attempt to play that type of model,’ actually make him play a whole lot of balls,” Rune stated. “I am very proud of how I stayed composed when it actually mattered. I used to be additionally very courageous when it mattered.”
