Holger Rune pulled off a major upset, beating Carlos Alcaraz in the Barcelona Open 500 final. The Danish player, ranked 13th in the ATP, took down the world’s second-ranked player on clay. Alcaraz was on a nine-match winning streak and had home-court advantage, having won the tournament the last two times. The crowd was cheering for him, making it seem like an easy win.
Rune won in straight sets, 7-6 (6) and 6-2, in just 1 hour and 40 minutes. This was a big win for Rune, one of the most important of his career. What’s more, he beat someone he’s been friends with for years. They grew up together under the spotlight, both seen as tennis stars to watch.
The two players have a long history together. They’ve known each other since they were young and rising stars in tennis. This match showed how much they’ve grown, both on and off the court.
The Match
Rune played a strong game, taking the first set in a tiebreaker. He kept the momentum going in the second set, winning 6-2. Alcaraz struggled to find his rhythm, and Rune took advantage of that. The Danish player’s win was a surprise to many, given Alcaraz’s recent form.
A Friendship Tested
The final was between two players who have known each other for a long time. They’ve been friends since they were young tennis players. This match put their friendship to the test. In the end, Rune came out on top.
- Rune’s win was a major upset, given Alcaraz’s recent form.
- The Danish player won in straight sets, 7-6 (6) and 6-2.
- Rune and Alcaraz have been friends for years, having grown up together in the tennis world.
RUNE REIGNS SUPREME 👑@holgerrune2003 stuns 2x champion Alcaraz in his Barcelona backyard to claim his biggest title since Bercy 2022!#BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/nrglvMhu7A
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 20, 2025
Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune final 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/223EF2aaQF
— H🐝 (@hxqurl) April 19, 2025