Rafael Nadal experienced his first final loss in two years on Sunday, succumbing 6-3, 6-2 to Portugal’s Nuno Borges at the clay-court Bastad Open. The Spanish tennis legend had displayed promising form in Scandinavia, making an impressive run to the final just a week before the Olympic tennis event in Paris. However, instead of celebrating his 64th clay-court title and first since Roland Garros 2022, Nadal was outplayed by the seventh seed Borges, struggling with his serve and groundstrokes.
“Many congratulations to Nuno,” said Nadal. “You’ve been playing great throughout 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. Well done.”
Borges first gained the upper hand by breaking Nadal’s serve to lead 3-1, with Nadal saving break points before mishitting a forehand down the line. However, Nadal quickly broke back on Borges’ serve, earning two break-back points before the Portuguese netted a forehand.
Despite this, Borges quickly took control again, earning a 0-40 lead in the next service game and converting his second break point with a drop shot. Nadal, struggling with his first serve, managed to hold his second service game of the set, forcing Borges to serve again, which he successfully did.
In the second set, Nadal showed glimpses of his old self with a forehand winner down the line while serving at deuce in the first game, but it was one of his few highlights. Borges broke Nadal’s serve for the first time in the second set at 2-2, and then won the next three games, securing 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, and 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.”
