Alcaraz, Rune set for Barcelona Open final showdown

Carlos Alcaraz advanced to his third Barcelona Open final after a straight-sets victory over Arthur Fils, extending his unbeaten run at the tournament to 14 matches and demonstrating resilience in windy conditions. Alcaraz, who previously won the event in 2022 and 2023, will face Holger Rune, who dominated Karen Khachanov to reach his first Barcelona final and return to the ATP Top 10. Both players are 21 years old and have yet to meet on clay, with Alcaraz holding a slight edge in their head-to-head record. Alcaraz credited his focused approach and tactical adjustments for overcoming the challenging weather and Fils’ aggressive style. Rune, recovering from a recent illness, showcased near-flawless tennis throughout the week to reach his second ATP Tour final of the season. The final promises a compelling matchup between two of the sport’s rising stars, with Alcaraz aiming for his third title of the year and Rune seeking his first tour-level title on clay since 2023.