Rafa Nadal’s bid for his first title in two years failed as he lost in the final of the Nordea Open in Bastad, to Nuno Borges in straight sets.
It doesn’t happen when you expect it sometimes. And I know we all wanted Rafa to win and a part of me wished that too.
But something even bigger inside of me pushed through today, through the emotions, through the ups and downs Nuno Borges
It was a disappointing end to his run at the Swedish Open which he was using to prepare himself for the Paris Olympics which start on Friday, having skipped Wimbledon.
The seventh seeded Borges from Portugal won 6-3 6-2 to become only the fifth player to defeat the Spaniard in a clay court final and was overjoyed at receiving the trophy.
“I never thought I would have been playing here in a full stadium against Rafa on clay,” The 27-year-old from Maia, Portugal, said. “It is a dream come true.
“Right now, I’m living in the clouds, somewhere up there. There’s not many today, but I’m somewhere not here.
“It doesn’t happen when you expect it sometimes. And I know we all wanted Rafa to win and a part of me wished that too.
“But something even bigger inside of me pushed through today, through the emotions, through the ups and downs.”
The scoreline doesn’t suggest there were any upas and downs, but a comfortable win. However, it wasn’t the case though he was playing a 38-year-old player with great experience having won 22 grand slam titles, and a fighting reputation, which he showed in his previous matches coming through the semis in a gruelling four hours and battling back from a set down in the quarters.
It must have been a fatigued Nadal who stepped out on court for the final and he came under pressure from the opening moments.
Borges held and then broke to take an early 2-0 lead, eventually breaking his opponent’s serve three times to take the first set, despite Nadal himself breaking twice.
The second set was even more comfortable for Borges, who broke the Spaniard in the fifth game after four holds of serve.
Two of those going the way of Nadal were the only positives, as Borges broke, held and then wrapped up the final game to love.
In the end, it turned into a comprehensive performance for Borges which Nadal acknowledged in his runners-up speech.
Nuno Borges embraces Rafa Nadal after the final
Photo by BJORN LARSSON ROSVALL/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)
Nadal said: “Congratulations to Nuno, you played great during the whole week, so you deserve it more than anybody else here. Enjoy your moment. It is always special winning a title.”
The Spanish icon who hadn’t played in Bastad since 2005 went on to thank the crowd for their warm welcome and support during the week.
“You [the crowd] made me feel great and special on the court and you gave me a lot of energy in the tough moments, and I had a few during the week,” he added with a broad smile.
“I don’t know if I’ll be back here playing, probably not. But I enjoy it a lot, playing for one more time here, without a doubt.”
Matteo Berrettini (L) poses with the winner’s trophy Quentin Halys after the final
(Photo by GABRIEL MONNET/AFP via Getty Images)
Meanwhile in Gstaad, Switzerland, Italian Matteo Berrettini took 59-minutes to defeat the Frenchman Quentin Halys 6-3 6-1 to win the Swiss Open.
“It feels unbelievable. It feels like it was yesterday that I won my first title here six years ago, but a lot of matches and a lot of things happened,” said Berrettini who is working his way back up the rankings following some career threatening injuries.
“I’m just so glad that I can keep playing and enjoying, and I think I found the energy of six years ago during this week. This place is special for me. I’m just so happy.”
In Hamburg another Frenchman, Arthur Fils battled through to take the European Open title defeating Germany’s home hope Alexander Zverev 6-3 3-6 7-6(1).
“I knew from the start it was not going to be easy,” Fils said of his victory. “First set I was taking care of it, I think I had a little bit of luck, but playing great. Then second set he managed to play better than me and to raise his level.
“Then we closed the roof and when we closed the roof, I knew it was going to be just a fight, like a dogfight. You just have to fight until the last point, until the last ball. I think that I’m practising since a long time for this kind of moment so I’m really happy to win it.”
And finally in Newport the Infosys Hall of Fame title was won by Marcos Giron who beat his American countryman Alex Michelsen 6-7(4) 6-3 7-5 to pocket the first title of his career.
“Better late than never,” the 30-year-old admitted. “We’ll take it! There are so many people I can thank and couldn’t be more lucky to have them in my life. Family, coaches, friends. For this, it’s really special for me but also for all their help and support though the years.”
