Holger Rune Edges Carlos Alcaraz To Win Barcelona Open Title

 

Holger Rune wins his first ATP title of the season 

Carlos Alcaraz could not finish his winning streak through nine matches to secure his third Barcelona Open ATP 500 title, after his defeat to Holger Rune in a hard-fought two-set final by 6-7(6), 2-6. 

Rune had been in this scintillating form since he eliminated the defending champion Casper Ruud in the quarterfinal. En route to the final, he took down another veteran, Karen Khachanov, in the semi-final to set up a final against Alcaraz. He was contending for his fifth ATP title and his first in Barcelona. 

The sixth-seeded player brilliantly withstood the pressure that comes with Alcaraz's techniques. Battling through the first set thrillingly, he failed to seize a set point advantage at 5-4 40/15 after converting a break point advantage. That gave Alcaraz to fight back and forced a tiebreak, but Rune was not finished yet. Alcaraz could not break him, and he appeared to be struggling afterwards. 

"It means the world, it was such a great match," recalled the Danish champion. "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." 

Rune pulled out of the just-concluded Monte Carlo Masters over food poisoning but recovered before the Barcelona Open commenced. The title is Rune's first of the season after his 13-match winless run. However, he stands to improve in the ATP ranking for winning the trophy.