Rune returns to top 10 after defeat of Ruud

Holger Rune upset Barcelona Open holder Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-2, with the Dane set for a return to a top 10 ranking after winning Friday’s Scandinavian showdown.

Rune dominated his Norwegian rival in the 87 minute quarter-final, with Ruud now set to slide from the ranking elite from his 10th position as a result of the loss.

Victory marked a turning point for Rune, who stood 1-6 against a rival with three Grand Slam finals – two at Roland Garros – to his credit.

Rune clinched victory with his 16th winner after an exhausting duel on match point, which he won with a forehand down the line.

Ruud looked to be well off his usual clay game, committing 29 unforced errors including three double-faults.

“I’m proud of myself, I was hitting through my shots and I played explosively,” the winner said. “Casper is a great player and he made it difficult.

“Despite all the (Scandinavian) hype, I tried to look at it as just another match. I

I’m very happy I beat him today.”

Rune will challenge for the finals in the Catalan capital in a Saturday match against Karen Khachanov, who defeated Monte Carlo semi-finalist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4, 7-5.

Rune won his sixth Tour quarter-final since last August and earned his first top 10 win on clay since defeating No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov at Monte Carlo in 2024.