Carlos Alcaraz powered into his third Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell final on Saturday with a commanding 6-2, 6-4 win over Arthur Fils, setting up a mouthwatering championship clash with Holger Rune.
The two-time champion showed both tactical discipline and baseline dominance to notch his ninth consecutive win and secure a place in his third ATP Tour final of the season, following earlier runs in Rotterdam and Monte-Carlo.
“The first thing to be grateful for today is the sun,” Alcaraz joked after the match. “It wasn’t raining, but the wind made it tough. It wasn’t about hitting brilliant shots — it was about doing the basics well and staying composed.”
Despite gusty conditions at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, the top-seeded Spaniard maintained control throughout the 76-minute encounter. He saved the lone break point he faced and repeatedly disrupted Fils’ rhythm, targeting the Frenchman’s backhand and using sharp net approaches to take time away from his opponent.
Cheered on by a capacity home crowd, Alcaraz’s all-court game shone. The 20-year-old, who captured the Barcelona crown in both 2022 and 2023, now has a chance to complete a title hat-trick on Sunday.
“Since I was a kid, I watched these finals every year,” he said. “Now, to be back in the final again, in front of my friends from Murcia and the amazing fans here in Barcelona, it means a lot. Let’s hope we can lift the trophy tomorrow.”
Rune Rolls Past Khachanov to Reach Final
Awaiting Alcaraz in Sunday’s final is Holger Rune, who produced a near-flawless display earlier in the day to dismiss Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-2. The 21-year-old Dane is now into his second final of 2025, following his run in Indian Wells, and will return to the Top 10 in the ATP Live Rankings on Monday.
Rune, who was forced to retire in Monte-Carlo last week due to food poisoning, looked rejuvenated in Barcelona. He delivered a strategic and composed performance, mixing pace, spin, and height with precision. In a standout first set, Rune won all six points in which he deployed the drop shot, and he sealed the match with one — followed by a crisp backhand pass.
“This week started out as a training block for me — I didn’t expect to go this far,” Rune admitted. “But it turned into a great tournament. I’m happy to be in the final and to be back in the Top 10. It feels good.”
Rune’s victory over Khachanov came just 24 hours after his quarter-final stunner over defending champion Casper Ruud. The Dane’s sharp tactical variety — from soft slices to sudden accelerations — kept Khachanov off-balance throughout the 67-minute semifinal.
“He’s dangerous with his serve and baseline power,” Rune explained. “So I wanted to disrupt that — mixing in drop shots, slices, and high balls. I’m pleased with how I executed the plan.”
Barcelona Final Preview: Alcaraz vs Rune
Sunday’s final between Alcaraz and Rune promises fireworks — two of the brightest young stars on the ATP Tour vying for a prestigious ATP 500 clay-court crown. It will be their fifth tour-level meeting, with the head-to-head tied 2-2.
Will Alcaraz complete his Barcelona three-peat? Or can Rune cap off his resurgence with his first clay title since Rome 2023?
