Rune upsets Alcaraz in straight sets to win Barcelona Open

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Holger Rune upset home-crowd favorite Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets on Sunday to win the Barcelona Open for his first title since 2023.

Rune defeated the Spaniard 7-6 (6), 6-2 for his first title since winning in Munich two years ago, and fifth overall. It was the Dane's first ATP 500 title.

“It means the world, it was such a great match,” Rune said. “In the beginning, I was a little bit stressed, because Carlos obviously plays big-time tennis. I had to breathe a lot and find my rhythm. After he broke me, I got more into the match and played my tennis. The first set was a big battle, it was super important to win it and gain the momentum. I’m so proud of myself.”

Alcaraz was coming off a nine-match winning streak that included his first Monte Carlo Masters title last weekend. He was searching for his third title of the year and 19th of his career. He won the Barcelona Open in 2022 and 2023.

Rune, runner-up to Jack Draper at Indian Wells, rallied from a break down in the opener and converted his fourth set point. He cruised in the second set against Alcaraz, who twice needed treatment on his upper right leg.

"I’m very happy with how I stayed composed when it mattered, and I was really brave,” Rune said.

Alcaraz will lose his No. 2 ranking to Alexander Zverev, who won his third Munich title on Sunday.

“Congratulations Holger on an amazing week,” Alcaraz said. "Coming here and showing a great effort to make the people enjoy watching tennis, I appreciate that. We’ve been seeing each other since (we were) 12 years old. Time flies. I’m really happy to see us in this position, how far we’ve (come). Keep going.”

It was the first ATP tour-level final between two players aged 21-and-under since 2022. Both are 21.

By reaching the final in Barcelona, Rune secured a return to the top 10. He will move up to No. 9. The sixth seed in Barcelona, Rune had been forced to retire from his Monte Carlo opener with food poisoning.

The Madrid Open starts Monday.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Denmark's Holger Rune returns to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during the ATP Barcelona Open tennis final in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 20, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Denmark's Holger Rune returns to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during the ATP Barcelona Open tennis final in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 20, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz reacts during the ATP Barcelona Open tennis final agaisnt Denmark's Holger Rune in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 20, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, left and the winner Denmark's Holger Rune stand on the podium after the ATP Barcelona Open tennis final in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 20, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Denmark's Holger Rune reacts during the ATP Barcelona Open tennis final against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 20, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo said Thursday he is resigning to take on “heavier responsibility” amid expectation he will run in next month’s presidential election.

Han has emerged as a potential conservative standard bearer, and South Korean media reported he will officially launch his presidential campaign Friday.

“I have two paths ahead of me. One is completing the heavy responsibility that I handle now. The other is putting down that responsibility and taking a heavier responsibility,” Han said. “I’ve finally determined to put down my post to do what I can and what I have to help overcome the crises facing us.”

Han was appointed prime minister, the country’s No. 2 post, by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose removal from office triggered the by-election to be held June 3.

The main conservative People Power Party remains in disarray over Yoon’s Dec. 3 imposition of martial law. Observers say Han is expected to align with the People Power Party to launch a unified conservative campaign against liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung.

Han, 75, is a career bureaucrat with about 40 years of public service and a Harvard doctorate in economics. He has held top posts under both conservative and liberal governments, including trade minister, finance minister and ambassador to the U.S. He’s served as prime minster twice, first under liberal President Roh Moo-hyun from 2007-2008 and later under Yoon.

Han’s supporters say his extensive government experience, especially on economic affairs, would make him a right leader who can deal with President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies and other economic problems. But his critics say Han — who has never had an elected post — has no strong political support base, is too old to become president and lacks a tough leadership to tackle contentious issues.

Lee, won the nomination of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party on Sunday and has been favored to win.

With Han’s resignation, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok becomes acting president until a new leader is elected on June 3.

South Korean acting President Han Duck-soo speaks during a press conference at the Government Complex in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Hong Hae-in/Yonhap via AP)

South Korean acting President Han Duck-soo bows after a press conference at the Government Complex in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Hong Hae-in/Yonhap via AP)

South Korean acting President Han Duck-soo speaks during a press conference at the Government Complex in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Hong Hae-in/Yonhap via AP)