STARNBERG, June 29, 2020
Portugal has joined the countries organizing a national tennis series during the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing suspension of the international tennis tours. Nuno Borges was crowned champion at the first leg of the Circuito Senior FPT in Vale do Lobo.
The 23-year-old defeated Portugal’s best junior Pedro Araújo 6-3, 6-3 in Sunday’s final. Borges also beat Portugal’s top-ranked players Joao Sousa and Gastao Elias en-route to the title.
Campeão! 🏆
Nuno Borges culmina uma semana de enorme nível batendo Pedro Araújo por 6-3 6-3 para conquistar a 1.ª etapa do #CircuitoSéniorFPT.
O tenista maiato não cedeu um único set em todo o torneio, deixando pelo caminho Miguel Gomes, João Sousa e Gastão Elias.
📸FPT pic.twitter.com/tgc6c8YzNq
— Ténis em Português (@tenisportugues) June 28, 2020
“Pedro and I have already practiced together and we know each other pretty well. We know the strengths and weakness. Today I was able to serve very well, I took advantage of it and managed to stay tough, making two or three crucial breaks. I felt very comfortable,” Borges said afterwards, quoted by Portuguese website Bola Amarela.
Borges, who practices with Joao Maio at ET Maia, saw his first year on the pro tour hindered by the pandemic, so his plans are still only in the short and medium term. “For now I plan to play these tournaments at a very good level. It is an incredible opportunity and then depending on the pandemic I want to compete on the international circuit. ITF tournaments, ATP Challengers and the ATP Tour when you get there.”
Borges, a former Mississippi State University standout, who was named 2019 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Male Player of the Year, has captured seven titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour. His latest triumph came in January this year, winning the Magic Tours M15 clay-court event in Monastir, Tunisia.
