2025 Barcelona Open ATP 500 Final - [1] Carlos Alcaraz Garfia (SPN) v/s [6] Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune (DEN)

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Alright mates, here we go.
This is their 4th meeting overall in 5 years, they've played surprisingly less number of matches for 2 rising young stars (well, Alca has already rose up, while Rune is in the process) 

H2H - Alca leads 2-1
Clay H2H - N/A

This is their first clay match, a final at open, where Alcaraz is a champion from 2022-23 (DNP 2024) & on a 14 match winning streak, hasn't dropped a set at this event since the 3-set Semifinal v/s De Minaur in 2022 (saved MPs to win there); while Rune has only dropped one set all week in the R16 against Sebastian Baez, straight setting all other opponents including Casper Ruud in the QF against whom he has a matchup disadvantage.

Who wins? How many sets? Vote & discuss.

 

[roysid]

Alcaraz shoud win easily. But let's see

 

[Jonas78]

Carlo to expose Runes false dawn...

 

[ppma]

If both play the level the've shown in their SFs it's going to be a match to never forget. Both were extremely focused and both have all the toolset to make the match very varied and entertaining. Looking forward to this one

 

[Hitman]

Alcaraz will win, this is his best clay court in case anyone has noticed.

Rune will need to play exceptionally well, which of course he can, but if Alcaraz also plays his best, he should win this.

Very happy regardless with Rune, been a very solid run this week. Some of his best tennis.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Both guys really impressive this week.

Rune is having a better run of form of late. Final of indian wells and now final here. It good to see him playing better again.

However, Alcaraz is the best player on this surface now Rafa has retired. He just has that aura about him on clay and grass too.

He was rock solid against fils and can move through the gears when required.

It should be a fun and competitive match but Alcaraz is too good right on clay. He could do a Rafa this year and sweep the clay season the way he’s playing.

I think either Alcaraz in 2 close sets or Alcaraz in 3 with him pulling away in 3rd.

 

[ojo rojo]

I’m hoping Holgs brings his A-game and we get a corker of a final.
Carlos in 3

 

[clayqueen]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1913912260218495316

 

[Carax]

 

[Hitman]

If Alcaraz doesn't win today, he will lose the number two ranking back to Zverev, who has just won Munich.

 

[mental midget]

fun match, very similar games. just think that alcaraz does it a little better.

 

[ibbi]

At the end of 2022 this matchup seemed like it'd be the big dream rivalry to watch, and that we've only seen it once in the more than 2 years since is kind of sad. Hopefully this lives up to expectations.

 

[flyingboris]

Players on the court!

 

[Daniel Andrade]

Carlitos will win it in 3 after a disappointing first set! Hope I'm wrong though and he takes it in 2!

 

[flyingboris]

From 15-30 on Rune's serve, carlos hits three UE to lose the game. Wake up snoozecaraz!

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Right on, Holger!

 

[flyingboris]

Awesome point to start the third game! I'll never understand how Carlos got to that Rune dropshot. Rune won it though.

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Looks to me like Holger wants to avoid a performance like he had with Draper in that final. Trying to get off to an aggressive start.

 

[Move]

Rune is rushed now

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Carlitos with break point.

 

[Move]

Great accelarations by Carlos

 

[ibbi]

Rune trying to go toe to toe with Raz didn't quite work out on break point.

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Great accelarations by Carlos

For sure. Not sure what the best strategy against Alcaraz might be…..he’s looking super awesome!

 

[ojo rojo]

Carlos bullying Holger rn. Fierce hitting

 

[Move]

Nice hitting from both !

 

[ojo rojo]

Lol

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Wow, can Rune break back?

 

[Move]

For sure. Not sure what the best strategy against Alcaraz might be…..he’s looking super awesome!

He goes trying even faster rn ... and gets broken

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

He goes trying even faster rn ... and gets broken

A bit surprising!

 

[TheSlicer]

Something happened to carlos in that stretch, he hasnt won a point since, i think he hurted himself

 

[Move]

The match is very interesting ... if Holger dares to fight it could become a barn burner

 

[TheSlicer]

He kind of limps, probably his mind going through it and cant focus on winning the point

 

[Daniel Andrade]

Couple shots hit at the net from Alcaraz. His BH a bit too flat sometimes, no? Anyway cool tennis so far

 

[Move]

All court tennis on a clay court
Very nice

 

[ojo rojo]

Carlos is looking sharp

 

[Move]

Holgers mindset looks to become way more focused recently. Positive vibes
Maybe finally in more quiet coaching waters, finally

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Who is the woman commentating on Tennis Channel?

 

[Pheasant]

Rune is playing quite well. But this set isn’t over yet. Carlos saved a break point.

 

[ibbi]

What grapefruits to save that second set point that way.

 

[Pheasant]

Clutch drop shot by Carlos to get to deuce. Nice!!

 

[MeatTornado]

Who is the woman commentating on Tennis Channel?

Sounds like Chanda Rubin

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Man Holger, you needed that! Dammit!

 

[dxc]

Holger had good opportunities on the first set point. Just got a little too passive. Should just keep it to Alcaraz' backhand. Backhand to backhand duels, Rune would win most of them, I think

 

[dxc]

What a drop volley by Rune at that moment

 

[sortof]

Pretty watchable stuff so far.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Didn't see match thread , checking in.

 

[dxc]

bullet backhand down the line to set up the forehand winner by Rune. no matter what he has shown high level in this final

 

[nolefam_2024]

Something happened to carlos in that stretch, he hasnt won a point since, i think he hurted himself

That is brain injury, you can't recover from that quickly.

 

[flyingboris]

Cool match so far

 

[RS]

Can this year be the year Rune does it in slams?