World number 51 Nuno Borges won vs. Rafa Nadal 6-3 6-2 to triumph at the Swedish Open in Bastad.
Rafa, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, didn’t have an answer in today’s loss in his 1st final in 2 years.
CHAMPION!
Nuno Borges easily beats Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2 to win in the title in Bastad.
First career ATP title.
2nd ever Portuguese player to win an ATP title
Against the best clay court player of all time. pic.twitter.com/0fDqOj96ad
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 21, 2024
Hampered by problems in the last years, the Spaniard has fallen to 261 in the rankings and decided to not play at Wimbledon to focus on the Olympics in Paris.
Portuguese Nuno, appearing in his 1st final compared to his opponent’s 131st, won the 2nd set in 46 minutes and won 3 straight games in the final set to secure the triumph.
“I can’t believe it. I know we all wanted Nadal to triumph – a part of me wished that too – but something even bigger inside of me really pushed through to be able to be at my best level today,” shared the 27-year-old Borges.
Nadal will play next at the Olympics on clay in Paris as the tournament starts on July 27th.