By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday July 16, 2024
The Spaniard kicked off his return to Bastad with a victory over Leo Borg on Tuesday.
Photo Source: TTV
After a doubles win alongside Casper Ruud on Monday at Bastad, Rafael Nadal commenced his preparations for the Olympic Games with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Leo Borg, the son of 11-time major champion Bjorn Borg.
Nadal, 261 in the ATP rankings at the moment, showed good form across the World No.461 in his first singles match since falling to Alexander in the first round at Roland-Garros on May 27.
Competing in Bastad for the first time since winning the title there in 2005, Nadal needed 86 minutes to get past Borg. He never faced a break point and converted a single break in each set to earn his 1076th career win.
“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 [of him]. I wish him all the very best.”
Nadal will face Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the second round at Bastad.
Playing in his sixth tournament of 2024, Nadal improves to 8-5. He hit five aces and won 82 percent of his first-serve points.
In other action at Bastad, Roberto Carballes Baena defeated Roman Sariullin 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-3, while India’s Sumit Nagal topped Elias Ymer 6-4, 6-3.