It was an entertaining week sandwiched in between multiple Masters 1000 tournaments, as the festivities in Barcelona, Munich, and Banja Luka did not disappoint. Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune, and Dusan Lajovic emerged as champions–two in very dramatic fashion.
Barcelona: (1) Carlos Alcaraz d. (2) Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4
Alcaraz completed a dominant run to another Barcelona trophy, successfully defending his 2022 title. The 19-year-old Spaniard did not drop a single set this week and needed only one hour and 19 minutes to dispose of Tsitsipas, improving to 4-0 lifetime in the head-to-head series.
“It is incredible,” Alcaraz assured. “To feel this energy and lift the trophy in Barcelona in front of my family and friends, and most members of my team are here, as well. Playing this level and to lift the trophy in front of them is a good feeling for me.”
Munich: Holger Rune d. Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(3)
Van de Zandschulp came painfully close to capturing his first ATP title. In a rematch of last year’s Munich final (in which he retired during the first set), the Dutchman led Rune by a double-break at 5-2 in the third set. Van de Zandschulp served for the match a total of three times–at 5-2, 5-4, and 6-5–but could not get over the line, squandering four championship points in the process. Rune, who struggled with both shoulder and ankle problems late in the contest, eventually triumphed after two hours and 52 minutes.
“I was feeling really exhausted, but I was fighting until the end and I tried everything I could to come back into the match,” the 19-year-old Dane explained. “I think for the crowd it was the perfect final. We really pushed each other to the limit and I am super happy I defended the title today.”
Banja Luka: Dusan Lajovic vs. (2) Andrey Rublev 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
An improbable week from start to finish for Lajovic ended it fitting fashion, with a three-set upset of Rublev. The 32-year-old Serb stunned Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals and needed three hours to get past Miomir Kecmanovic on Saturday, but he had enough left in the tank to beat Rublev in two hours and 32 minutes.
“Honestly, it was probably the toughest match I have had in the past six months,” Lajovic assessed. “I felt drained. From 5-1 in the third I could not feel my legs and felt a bit dizzy. I knew he was going to fight but somehow I managed to pull it out in the last game. I wasn’t even thinking in the last game; I was just playing automatically and I tried to take the ball early on the forehand. I am thrilled and overwhelmed that I did it this week, that I won an ATP title.
“The last time I was in a final was four years ago and I have been through a lot since then–lots of ups and downs. This was probably the most unexpected thing for me for this week. But on the other side I still believed in myself, even though I did not have the best last year. This victory means a lot.”
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what a week for Lajovic