Nadal Makes Winning Return vs. Borg in Bastad
Rafael Nadal displayed some rust in his first match since Roland Garros, but a break of serve in each set was enough for the 38-year-old to advance at the Nordea Open. Nadal secured a 6-3, 6-4 win against Leo Borg, the 21-year-old son of former No. 1 Bjorn Borg.
Nadal made uncharacteristic errors early on, likely due to not having played an ATP Tour match since losing to Alexander Zverev in the first round of the Paris major on May 27. However, he raised his level as the match progressed, finding success in the wet, heavy conditions by targeting Borg’s backhand corner and forcing him to hit above his shoulder.
“It has been a huge honour to play against the son of one of the biggest legends in the history of our sport,” Nadal said of Borg. “He played quite well and has a great future ahead. I wish him all the very best.”
Competing in Bastad for the first time since his 2005 triumph at the clay ATP 250, Nadal showed no signs of hindered movement despite a fall behind the baseline early in the match. Nadal was cautious with his first serves but did not face a break point throughout the one-hour, 25-minute match.
“Playing in front of a full crowd means a lot to me. It gives me energy to keep practising every day,” said Nadal, who joked about defending his 2005 title 19 years later. “Even in tougher moments, the support from the team and the fans has helped me keep going. They give me amazing energy.”
Playing his sixth tournament of the year, Nadal, with an 8-5 record for the season, will next face fifth seed Cameron Norrie, who defeated Jozef Kovalik 7-6(4), 6-4. Nadal leads Norrie 4-1 in their head-to-head series, with Norrie winning their most recent encounter at the 2023 United Cup. Nadal is also partnering with Casper Ruud in doubles this week.
In other Bastad action, Nadal’s compatriot Roberto Carballes Baena overcame Roman Safiullin 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-3, and Sumit Nagal defeated home favorite Elias Ymer 6-4, 6-3. Henrique Rocha rallied past Camilo Ugo Carabelli 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. Rocha, seventh in the PIF ATP Live Race to Jeddah, will face Nuno Borges in an all-Portuguese battle following Borges’ 6-2, 7-6(3) win against Italian lucky loser Andrea Pellegrino.
