It’s about time! Nadal came close to winning the title at the Nordea Open

Rafael Nadal is the main draw at the Nordea Open in Bastad, Sweden. The development of the tournament opens the way to success for the Spanish legend. But the most important thing is the speech of the man himself. How did his match with Britain’s Norrie go?

• Nadal made a good start to the Nordea Open
• Two big favourites are out of the tournament
• He showed a great turnaround against Britain’s Norrie

Rafael Nadal is the star in Bastad, no doubt about it. However, there was very solid competition in the starting field at the beginning of the tournament.

However, the turn of events speaks in favour of the Spaniard. While he made it through the duel against Leo Borg without any major problems, the two highest seeded players are already out of the game.

The defending champion Rublev fell to Tirante of Argentina in three sets. Casper Ruud lost to another South American. Brazilian Monteiro surprisingly beat him twice 6:3.

But triumph doesn’t win itself. The Mallorca native faced the number five seeded British player Norrie for the quarterfinals.

Nadal in the eighth round

Norrie is a very experienced player and it took Nadal a while to gain the upper hand. It happened in the seventh game, when the Spaniard won the only break in the whole first set. He eventually won the opening set 6:4.

Rafa may have made a few more unforced errors from his forehand than would have been ideal. But when his forehand worked, he was the biggest weapon on the court.

Nadal showed his strength in the second set, taking twelve of a possible thirteen points in a row from 1:4 to level the match very quickly at 4:4. The thirty-eight-year-old legend did not lose any more of his momentum and after less than an hour and three quarters he confirmed his progress to the quarter-finals with an ace.

His next opponent will be the tournament’s number four seed Navone of Argentina. Currently the highest seeded player at the Nordea Open.

Nadal is well on his way to winning another title. He won his last one at Roland Garros in 2022.

Source: ATP