Nadal makes winning return vs. Borg in Bastad

Rafael Nadal showed a few signs of rust in his first match since Roland Garros on Tuesday, but one break of serve in each set was enough for the 38-year-old to advance at the Nordea Open. The Spaniard earned a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Leo Borg, the 21-year-old son of former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings Bjorn Borg.

Nadal committed uncharacteristic errors in the opening stages, perhaps a sign of having not played an ATP Tour match since falling to Alexander Zverev in the first round of the Paris major on 27 May. The lefty raised his level as the match wore on, finding success in wet, heavy conditions by pinning Borg in his backhand corner and forcing the Swede to hit above his shoulder.

“For me, it has been a huge honour to play against the son of one of the biggest legends in the history of our sport,” Nadal said of Borg. “I think he played quite well, he has a great future in front. I wish him all the very best.”

Competing in Bastad for the first time since his 2005 triumph at the clay ATP 250, the 92-time tour-level titlist showed no signs of hindered movement, even after tumbling behind the baseline just 12 minutes into the match. Nadal seemed cautious in going for big first serves, yet did not face a break point, according to Infosys ATP Stats, throughout the one-hour, 25-minute match.

“Playing in front of a full crowd means a lot to me. It gives me energy to keep practising every day," said Nadal, who joked he was defending his 2005 title 19 years later. "Even in the tougher moments, I have been able to keep going with the help of the team, but of course the fans have a huge impact on that. They give me amazing energy.”

Playing his sixth tournament of the year, Nadal, 8-5 on the season, will next face fifth seed Cameron Norrie, who ousted Jozef Kovalik 7-6(4), 6-4. Nadal leads Norrie 4-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, with the Briton winning their most recent meeting at the 2023 United Cup. Nadal is also partnering Casper Ruud in doubles this week.

In other Bastad action, Nadal’s countryman Roberto Carballes Baena overcame Roman Safiullin 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-3 and Sumit Nagal downed home hope Elias Ymer 6-4, 6-3. #NextGenATP Henrique Rocha rallied past Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. The 20-year-old, seventh in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, will meet Nuno Borges in an all-Portuguese battle following the seventh seed's 6-2, 7-6(3) win against Italian lucky loser Andrea Pellegrino.