Portuguese outsider Nuno Borges brought an end to Rafael Nadal’s nostalgia run at the ATP Bastad event on Sunday, dispatching the 22-time Grand Slam winner 6-3, 6-2 in the final.
The No. 51 winner became only the second from his country to win a title on the ATP; Nadal was denied a repeat trophy after winning here in 2005.
The Spaniard surprised himself this week as he tested his body after months of injury downtime and a Roland Garros exit in the first round seven weeks ago against Alexander Zverev.
Borges finished off his defeat of the No. 261 legend with his second ace as he converted on the first of three match points at the lakeside clay venue.
The 38-year-old Nadal is now due in Paris as part of Spain’s Olympic squad, with his master plan to try and compete.
Borges was overcome with emotion in a victory which took 86 minutes. The underdog also knew that the crowd would not be especially on his side.
“I know everyone wanted Rafa to win – even a part of me did.
“But something bigger pushed through the emotions.
“I was not playing my best tennis but i (lifted) in the big moments.
“I could not have played better; I’m very emotional,” ue said, coming close to tears of joy.”
Borges added; “The crowd wanted Rafa to win but they didn’t do anything crazy.”
The Portuguese champion joins Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Horacio Zaballos as one of a small group who have defeated the Spanish powerhouse in a clay final.
“I”ve been wishing for this moment for a while,” Borges said. “Tennis is crazy, things don’t happen when you expect them.
“I played really great and I’m proud – it’s my first time in Sweden and I’m undefeated here.”
