Rafael Nadal advanced to the Swedish Open final in Bastad after defeating Duje Ajdukovic of Croatia.

The day before, Rafael Nadal emerged victorious in his quarterfinal, setting a record for the longest best-of-three set battle of the year. On Saturday, he won an equally thrilling three-set contest, winning 4-6 6-3 6-4.

Nadal overcame losing the opening set to force a decider between him and Ajdukovic in the semi-final.

After Portugal’s Nuno Borges upset Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-3 6-4 later on Saturday, Nadal will play Borges in the final on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Tennis.

He broke Ajdukovic in the opening game of the third set and then won another break of serve to establish a comfortable 3-0 lead. He began the set in a powerful manner.

But in the fourth game, Ajdukovic did manage to break back, and in the next, he accomplished a crucial hold of service.

After keeping the match within striking distance, Ajdukovic applied pressure to Nadal by earning three break points in the sixth game. To tie the set at three points, he converted the second.

Nadal had watched his lead in the double-break disappear.

However, the all-time great was still able to come back with his two break points in the seventh game. It took him only the first to go back in front, and he pumped his fist with joy when he did.

He struggled to hold serve as he went up 5-3. He eventually worked the game back to deuce, took the advantage, and then lifted a forehand off the ground to put the Croatian player out of reach.

After a protracted rally, Ajdukovic eventually scored, and Nadal was set to serve for the remainder of the match. The Spaniard was able to celebrate reaching the final.

“I played against one of the best backhands I’ve ever faced in a very difficult match. He arrived here exuding confidence,” Nadal remarked.

“I was trying to push him back, and to be very honest, it was really difficult, but I managed to get through and make it to the final after a lengthy absence from one. That’s wonderful news, and I’m overjoyed about it.”

He will compete in his first ATP Tour final since 2022 on Sunday.

In preparation for the clay-court Olympic competition in Roland Garros in Paris, Rafael Nadal is participating in this Swedish tournament for the first time since he took home the trophy in 2005 as a 19-year-old.

The 38-year-old did not attend Wimbledon because he did not want to risk injury by switching from clay to grass and back again. For the last eighteen months, he has been coping with ailments to his hips and abdomen.

“I’m still working through a lot of the things I lost after a major hip surgery that I had over a year ago. Thus, things are not going well, but I’m persevering,” Nadal remarked.

“Today’s and yesterday’s matches help to develop a lot of aspects on the court. I’m content with it, and tomorrow we’ll see if I can play a little bit better.

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Quentin Halys made a shot on Friday that was among the best of the year, but he slapped a forehand into the corner to win the point after tripping and nearly tumbling to the floor.

Meanwhile, defending champion and top seed Alexander Zverev defeated Spaniard Pedro Martinez 6-2, 6-4, to cruise into the Hamburg Open final.

After defeating third seed Sebastian Baez 6-2 6-2, Zverev will take on French challenger Arthur Fils on Sunday.

Top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas fell in straight sets against Matteo Berrettini in the semi-final of the Swiss Open in Gstaad.

In the final on Sunday, Berrettini will play qualifier Quentin Halys, who defeated Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3 7-6. Berrettini won 7-6 7-5.

“I saw every match that he played [this week], and I guess like me he is getting more and more confident,” Berrettini said of Halys, who is rated 192nd in the world and made it to his first ATP Tour final.

“He defeated some of the best players in a vast number of his matches. Though it will be difficult, I will be prepared.”

Watch Rafael Nadal live on Sky Sports Tennis on Sunday in the Swedish Open final.