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Holger Rune Upsets Alcaraz to Claim Barcelona Open 2024 Title
The Barcelona Open 2024 wrapped up with fireworks on Sunday as Denmark’s Holger Rune stunned top-seeded Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in a gripping 7-6(6), 6-2 victory. The win marks Rune’s first ATP title since 2023 and his fifth overall — with three of those coming on clay, his favorite surface.
The sixth seed played a clean and composed match, recovering from an early break in the first set and outlasting Alcaraz in a tense tiebreaker. After that, Rune dominated, capitalizing on Alcaraz’s visible discomfort as the world No. 2 required two medical timeouts for treatment on his upper right leg.
Despite a roaring home crowd in Spain and a history of success in Barcelona — Alcaraz had won this tournament in both 2022 and 2023 — Rune remained unshaken. The Dane kept up the pressure, extended rallies, and kept his unforced errors low throughout the one-hour, 41-minute battle.
The win also comes with a rankings reward. Rune will return to the ATP Top 10 when the updated list is released on Monday. Alcaraz, meanwhile, will slide from No. 2 to No. 3 in the world rankings.
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Zverev Celebrates Birthday in Style at BMW Open
While Rune was making waves in Spain, Alexander Zverev delivered his own clay-court statement in Germany, winning the BMW Open in Munich by defeating Ben Shelton 6-2, 6-4.
What made the win extra special? It happened on his 28th birthday in front of a raucous home crowd.
Zverev was in command from start to finish, needing just 71 minutes to lift his third title in Munich. He previously won the tournament in 2017 and 2018, and Sunday’s win marked his 24th ATP career title.
The stats back up Zverev’s form:
- 89% first-serve points won
- 3 break points converted
- Zero break points faced
- Only 7 unforced errors (compared to 21 from Shelton)
It was also a much-needed result for the German, who entered Munich with a 6-6 record since reaching the Australian Open final in January. Clearly, the clay — and the birthday magic — reignited his season.
Zverev will now move up to No. 2 in the ATP Rankings, leapfrogging Alcaraz after this week’s results.
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What This Means Moving Forward
The Barcelona Open 2024 showcased one clear thing: Holger Rune is back. After a title drought and a string of early exits in key tournaments, Rune reminded everyone why he was once projected as the next big thing in men’s tennis. His movement, court coverage, and poise in big moments have returned — just in time for the heart of the clay season.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz will need to regroup and monitor that leg injury closely. With the French Open just weeks away, staying healthy is priority No. 1.
In Munich, Zverev’s bounce-back win could not have come at a better time. With the pressure of playing at home and a rough few months on tour, this win provides momentum and confidence as he heads into bigger clay tournaments — and ultimately Roland Garros.
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FAQs
Who won the Barcelona Open 2024?
Holger Rune won the title, defeating Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(6), 6-2 in the final.
How many ATP titles does Rune have now?
Rune now has five ATP titles, three of which are on clay courts.
Why did Alcaraz call for medical timeouts?
He appeared to suffer from upper right leg discomfort and received treatment during the match.
Who won the BMW Open 2024 in Munich?
Alexander Zverev beat Ben Shelton 6-2, 6-4 to win the championship.
How many times has Zverev won in Munich?
This is his third BMW Open title, having also won in 2017 and 2018.
What’s next for these players?
Both Rune and Zverev will continue on the European clay swing, building toward the French Open.
Final Thoughts
The Barcelona Open 2024 ended with a big statement from Holger Rune, as he not only took down the top seed but reignited his own season in the process. Across the border, Alexander Zverev put on a birthday clinic that may well signal a return to form for the German powerhouse.
As the ATP calendar heats up and the clay courts roll on, both players now have the momentum, belief, and ranking points to turn heads — and maybe even contend for Grand Slam titles this year.
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