BASTAD/WASHINGTON, July 21, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)
All week long, in a tournament that was defined by upsets at the ATP 250 Nordea Open in Bastad, Sweden, Nuno Borges learned a simple tennis lesson: Play the draw you’re dealt – and seize your opportunities.
“It wasn’t about playing my best tennis, it was just coming up in the big moments where I wanted, and I couldn’t have played better,” the 51st-ranked Borges said, after defeating 22-time major champion and 2005 Bastad titlist Rafael Nadal, 6-3, 6-2, in one hour and 27 minutes to win his first ATP Tour title.
“I’m just really happy overall. I really don’t know what to say, I’m very emotional.”
Just look at that smile 😁
First ATP final, first title for @nunoborges97 @NordeaOpen | #NordeaOpen pic.twitter.com/j4vyzsQ72G
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 21, 2024
The sixth-seeded Borges, a native of Maia, Portugal, blazed a trail throughout his memorable week in the Swedish summer resort town, thanks to the early upsets to top seeds Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud. He became just the second Portuguese ATP titlist after João Sousa – and did it through hard work while exuding much joy on the red clay at Tenisstadion Bastad.
Against the 261st-ranked Nadal of Spain, who received a wild card into the main draw, Borges played fearlessly and broke the King of Clay’s serve five times while saving three of five break points he faced. He hit 23 winners to just five for Nadal and made three fewer unforced errors. Borges outpointed Nadal 65-44, which included winning 13 points on the Spaniard’s second serve. He closed out the title match with his second ace on match point.
The moment Borges will never forget ☺️
Just the 2nd Portuguese ATP title winner, @nunoborges97 topples Nadal 6-3 6-2@NordeaOpen | #NordeaOpen pic.twitter.com/X5wClHonvb
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 21, 2024
“I don’t know what to say. I think I was wishing for this moment for a while already,” the 27-year-old Borges expressed in his post-match interview prior to receiving the champion’s trophy. “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. Through all the emotions, through all the ups and downs.”
“Right now I’m living in the clouds” ❤️☁️
The ultimate respect from @nunoborges97 🤜🤛 @RafaelNadal @NordeaOpen | #NordeaOpen pic.twitter.com/zC3PTn3WM8
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 21, 2024
Nadal fought hard to get to the championship match – his first final since the 2022 French Open – but he simply was spent after winning back-to-back three setters against Mariano Navone and Duje Ajdukovic in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. Friday’s win over Navone clocked at three hours and 59 minutes. Now 11-6, in what has been an abbreviated season, the 38-year-old Nadal will focus on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
As always, Nadal was gracious in defeat. “Many congratulations to Nuno,” he said during the trophy ceremony. “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. I wish you all the very best for the rest of the season.
“I have been here for the week enjoying this amazing place. I really had fun on court, played some very long matches. 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.”
What a week @RafaelNadal 👏@NordeaOpen | #NordeaOpen pic.twitter.com/cToTp6oC9z
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 21, 2024
Indeed, Borges proved to be the steadier player in the final and never backed down against Nadal. En route to winning the Bastad title, Borges defeated lucky loser Andrea Pellegrino of Italy, Henrique Rocha of Portugal, qualifier Timofey Skatov of Kazakhstan, Thiago Agustin Tirante of Argentina and Nadal.
“It was an amazing atmosphere, everyone was respectful,” Borges said. “I know everyone wanted Rafa to win. … Again, I played really great. I’m really proud. I’m loving Bastad, obviously.”
On Monday, Borges will rise nine spots to a career-high No. 42 in the PIF ATP Rankings. He is the ninth first-time title winner on the ATP Tour this season.
Now that’s how to toast a title 🍾😂@NordeaOpen | #NordeaOpen | @nunoborges97 pic.twitter.com/XW3W8X6ExA
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 21, 2024
Brazilians Luz and Matos win doubles title
No. 3 seeds Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos of Brazil won the Bastad doubles title with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Manuel Guinard and Gregoire Jacq of France in one hour and 30 minutes. Luz and Matos outpointed their opponents 71-58. It is the first tour-level doubles title for Luz and the ninth for Matos.
🏆💙 Nordea Open wishes to congratulate our double champions, Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos, who won the final in two straight sets.
We also wish to thank our runner ups, Manuel Guinard and Gregoire Jacq!!#nordeaopen #båstad #tennis #atp pic.twitter.com/jkbPzeaK0S
— Nordea Open (@NordeaOpen) July 21, 2024
