Rune puts on masterclass to crush Khachanov

Holger Rune will return to the ATP live ranking top 10 after a near-flawless 6-3, 6-2 display against Karen Khachanov on Saturday which sends the Dane into the final of the Barcelona Open.  

Rune needed just 67 minutes to completely dominate in the semi-final on a court named in honour of Rafael Nadal, holding his opponent to just five winners for the match – and only one in the second set.

The No. 13 Scandinavian,  by contrast, produced 21 winners and profitted from superb drop shots to ensure the win.

Khachanov was leading 3-2 in the opening set when Rune erupted.

“I was playing very good from the back of the court and mixing up the pace,” the winner said. I played most of the match the right way.

“I was aggressive and hitting through my shots. Rising in the ranking is a motivation, but I was treating this like a training week, trying to get better every day.

“Now it’s becoming more than a training week and I’m happy to be in another final (after Indian Wells in March. I’m happy with how I handled things today.”

Rune will play top seed Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final.

Main photo:- Holger Rune winning in Barcelona – by ATPTour.com