New Delhi: World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz continued his impressive clay-court form as he breezed past Arthur Fils in straight sets to book his place in the Barcelona Open final for the third time in his career. The Spaniard, who has already lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2023, defeated the Frenchman 6-2, 6-4 in front of a delighted home crowd.
The 21-year-old was near-flawless throughout the match, saving the only break point he faced and extending his winning streak to nine matches. Carlos Alcaraz entered the tournament with confidence after freshly claiming the Monte Carlo Open earlier this month. He looked confident and comfortable on the red dirt, dictating play with his forehand and staying sharp in key moments.
“It means a lot to be in the final here again,” said Alcaraz after the win. “Playing in front of my people, my friends who came from Murcia, and the incredible fans in Barcelona is always special. It’s been a great week. I hope to finish it tomorrow with the trophy.”
Inevitable.@carlosalcaraz defeats Fils 6-2 6-4 to reach his third straight final in Barcelona!#BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/8FShNk14gk
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 19, 2025
The semifinal was a rematch of their recent Monte Carlo quarter-final, where Alcaraz also got the better of Fils but in a much tighter three-setter. This time around, the Spaniard made sure not to give the seventh seed any window to build momentum.
Rune rises with statement win over Khachanov
On the other side of the draw, Denmark’s Holger Rune made light work of Karen Khachanov to secure his place in the final. Rune cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 win, showcasing his aggressive shot-making and composure under pressure.
The 21-year-old Dane had already caught the eye earlier in the tournament by eliminating defending champion Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals. Saturday’s performance against the Russian only strengthened his case as one of the brightest young talents in the sport.
Eleventh heaven 🇩🇰@holgerrune2003 puts on a masterclass vs Khachanov 6-3 6-2 to reach his 11th ATP final in Barcelona!#BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/mwcL2w6GCm
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 19, 2025
This will be Rune’s second final at the ATP 500 level, and while he trails Alcaraz 1-2 in head-to-head meetings, the two have never faced each other on clay. Their last meeting came at Wimbledon in 2023, where Alcaraz emerged victorious.
What next?
Sunday’s final promises to be a thriller as two of the most exciting young players on the ATP Tour go head-to-head. Both Alcaraz and Rune are 21, full of energy, and have already proven at the top level. With Alcaraz chasing a third straight Barcelona title and Rune hungry to silence his critics, there’s plenty at stake for both.
For Alcaraz, it’s a chance to lift his third trophy of the year and continue building momentum heading into the clay season. For Rune, it’s an opportunity to add another feather to his cap and show he’s a serious contender on the dirt. Either way, the fans will get to witness a spectacular contest at the Real Club de Tenis.
Carlos Alcaraz cruises past Arthur Fils in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 to reach Barcelona Open final, aiming for a third consecutive title. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
