Rafael Nadal lost his first final in two years on Sunday, falling 6-3, 6-2 to Portugal’s Nuno Borges at the clay-court Bastad Open.
The Spanish tennis legend had shown signs of a return to form in Scandinavia with an impressive run to the final, just one week before the start of the Olympic Games on clay in Paris. However, Nadal was unable to secure his 64th title on the surface, and first since Roland Garros 2022, as seventh seed Borges dominated him.
“Many congratulations to Nuno,” Nadal said. “You’ve been playing great during the whole week, so you deserve it more than anyone else here. Congratulations and enjoy your moment, it’s always special winning a title.”
“Today wasn’t my best day, but all the credit to Nuno. He played very well and it was so difficult for me, so well done.”
Borges made the first breakthrough in the match, breaking Nadal’s serve to go 3-1 up. Nadal saved break points before missing a forehand down the line. However, he immediately broke back, earning two break-back points before Borges netted a forehand.
Despite the exchange of breaks, Borges quickly regained control, converting his second break point with a drop shot after running up a 0-40 lead in Nadal’s next service game. Nadal struggled with his first serve but managed to hold his second service game of the opening set, forcing Borges to serve for the set, which he did successfully.
In the second set, Nadal showed glimpses of his old self with a booming forehand winner down the line at deuce in the first game, eventually holding serve. However, Borges broke Nadal’s serve for the first time in the second set and fourth time overall at 2-2, taking the lead.
The 27-year-old Borges then won the next three games, sealing his maiden career title with an ace in his first-ever match against the former world number one.
“I don’t know what to say. I think I was wishing for this moment for a while already,” Borges said in his post-match interview. “It’s crazy, in tennis it doesn’t happen when you expect it sometimes. I know we all wanted Rafa to win, a part of me wished that too, but something even bigger inside of me really pushed through today… I’m just really happy overall. I really don’t know what to say, I’m very emotional.”
Rafael Nadal lost his first final in two years on Sunday, falling 6-3, 6-2 to Portugal’s Nuno Borges at the clay-court Bastad Open.
The Spanish tennis legend had shown signs of a return to form in Scandinavia with an impressive run to the final, just one week before the start of the Olympic Games on clay in Paris. However, Nadal was unable to secure his 64th title on the surface, and first since Roland Garros 2022, as seventh seed Borges dominated him.
“Many congratulations to Nuno,” Nadal said. “You’ve been playing great during the whole week, so you deserve it more than anyone else here. Congratulations and enjoy your moment, it’s always special winning a title.”
“Today wasn’t my best day, but all the credit to Nuno. He played very well and it was so difficult for me, so well done.”
Borges made the first breakthrough in the match, breaking Nadal’s serve to go 3-1 up. Nadal saved break points before missing a forehand down the line. However, he immediately broke back, earning two break-back points before Borges netted a forehand.
Despite the exchange of breaks, Borges quickly regained control, converting his second break point with a drop shot after running up a 0-40 lead in Nadal’s next service game. Nadal struggled with his first serve but managed to hold his second service game of the opening set, forcing Borges to serve for the set, which he did successfully.
In the second set, Nadal showed glimpses of his old self with a booming forehand winner down the line at deuce in the first game, eventually holding serve. However, Borges broke Nadal’s serve for the first time in the second set and fourth time overall at 2-2, taking the lead.
The 27-year-old Borges then won the next three games, sealing his maiden career title with an ace in his first-ever match against the former world number one.
“I don’t know what to say. I think I was wishing for this moment for a while already,” Borges said in his post-match interview. “It’s crazy, in tennis it doesn’t happen when you expect it sometimes. I know we all wanted Rafa to win, a part of me wished that too, but something even bigger inside of me really pushed through today… I’m just really happy overall. I really don’t know what to say, I’m very emotional.”
