Holger Rune Defeats Carlos Alcaraz to Win Barcelona Open Title

Barcelona: In a major upset on Sunday, Denmark’s tennis star Holger Rune clinched the 2025 Barcelona Open title by defeating World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz.

Rune put on a brilliant performance in the final, winning 7-6 (8/6), 6-2, and secured his first title in nearly a year.

The match was particularly significant as it marked only the second loss for Alcaraz in his last 23 clay court matches.

Reacting to his victory, Rune said, “It’s a crazy feeling. Winning a title after almost a year is very special for me. To beat a player like Carlos, who is also a good friend, in the final makes it even more memorable. I stayed calm and stuck to my strategy throughout the match.”

The final began with Alcaraz breaking Rune’s serve in the fifth game to take an early lead. However, Rune bounced back immediately to level the score at 3-3. In the tenth game, Rune earned two set points, but Alcaraz saved them, pushing the set into a tiebreak. Rune capitalized on his chances in the tiebreak to take the first set — the first set Alcaraz had dropped all week.

In the second set, Alcaraz had two early break points but failed to convert. He took a medical timeout after the third game, returning to the court with Rune firmly in control. Rune broke Alcaraz’s serve twice and wrapped up the set 6-2 to seal the victory.

Alcaraz, who had earlier won the Monte Carlo Masters and is preparing for the French Open, missed out on claiming his third Barcelona title.