"I’m living in the clouds": Nuno Borges breaks Rafael Nadal five times to clinch first ATP title in Bastad

A player never forgets their first tour title. You can say that again for Nuno Borges, who at 27, has joined the club as an ATP champion after getting the better of a legendary competitor.

On Sunday, Borges denied Rafael Nadal’s Bastad title bid to write his own magical ending at the Nordea Open. The seventh seed defeated the holder of 92 tour-level crowns, 6-3, 6-2.

“First time here, I never thought I would have been here playing on a full stadium against Rafa on clay. It is a dream come true,” Borges expressed after being handed the trophy. “Right now, I’m living in the clouds. There’s not many today, but I’m somewhere not here.”

After Borges held to open the contest, both players struggled to establish a rhythm. Nadal dropped his first two service games with mistimed forehands and a pair of double faults, but Borges couldn’t consolidate on either occasion with issues overhitting when pulling the trigger.

The 2019 NCAA finalist broke for a third consecutive time by ending an extensive rally with a perfectly cut backhand drop shot that went untouched by the left-hander. Borges had no issue closing out the lead, with Nadal heading to the set break with a single winner to his name.

Nadal staved off a break point to open the second set, working to find more depth. But Borges kept the pressure coming.

At 2-2, another perfect drop shot by the Portuguese No. 1 set up 30-40. Though Nadal fought it off for deuce, a first-ball backhand unforced error and undercut backhand drop shot approach off his racquet saw Borges claim a fourth break of the day.

From there, Borges charged to the finish line. His forehand did the work to seal a double break and he wrapped up a special performance on a five-game run with a fitting ace.

“I’m kind of speechless. I’m holding this trophy,” concluded Borges. “Who would have thought? Tennis is crazy. So why not keep going and just keep dreaming?”

Right now, I’m living in the clouds. There’s not many today, but I’m somewhere not here. —Nuno Borges

Nadal was appearing in Bastad for the first time since 2005, when he lifted the trophy a short time after becoming a major champion at Roland Garros.

“I have been here during the whole week and half enjoying this amazing place. I really had fun on court,” reflected Nadal during his runner-up speech. “Played some very long, very good matches. Today wasn’t my best day, but all the credit to Nuno. He played very, very well.”

Both Nadal and Borges will now head to the Paris Olympics, held at Roland Garros. Tennis action kicks off Saturday, July 27.