Huge challenge! Nadal to play for the title in Bastad after tough duels

His return to the courts was the main draw of the Bastad tournament. And Rafael Nadal is fulfilling that role superbly in Sweden. He can add another title to his collection in Sunday’s final. And not just any title.

• Rafael Nadal will play for the title in Bastad
• He’ll challenge Portugal’s Borges in the final
• He could become one of the oldest tournament winners on the ATP circuit

Nadal at the Nordea Open

The legendary Spaniard has taken the Nordea Open in Bastad up at least one level. Since the beginning here, his matches have been watched by sold-out stands and so far they have exclusively witnessed the Mallorca native’s victories.

Nadal took on the son of the local legend Borg, the experienced Briton Norrie, the Argentine Navon and the surprise of the tournament, the Croatian Ajdukovic.

In the latter match Nadal had to turn the tide after losing the first set, but he worked his hardest against Navone. The Spain-Argentina battle stretched to four hours on Friday.

The Spanish legend eventually won after sets of 6:7, 7:5, 7:5. In the deciding set, Nadal was unable to finish the match at 5: 2 or 5: 4. However, the end of the match belonged to him and he will play for his 93rd tournament title on Sunday.

A huge challenge

The number 93 itself is, of course, an impressive feat. The time span of Nadal’s triumphs is also amazing. The Spaniard enjoyed his first title in 2004 in Sopot. He conquered his last one so far at the 2022 French Open.

For Sunday’s final, Carlos Moya’s charge will be taking the court at the age of 38 years and 48 days. If triumphant, Nadal would become the third-oldest player to win on the ATP tour since 1990.

In Bastad, he will face Portugal’s Borges, who stands at the opposite pole of the imaginary ladder of success, in his last match at the tournament. For the 27-year-old, it will be his first career final appearance.

The Nordea Open final will kick off at 2 p.m. on Sunday. And the 14-time French Open winner will enter as the favourite.

Source: ATP, Sportskeeda