New Delhi: Spain’s tennis star Rafael Nadal made it to his first final since winning the 2022 Roland Garros as he defeated Croatia’s Duje Ajdukovic in a three-set thriller at the Swedish Open 2024 in Bastad on Saturday. Nadal, who is a 22-time Grand Slam champion, was tested by the world no. 130 Croatian, notably a day after his four-hour quarter-final victory. The Spaniard dropped the opening set but came from behind to prevail 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
With the huge win, Nadal has returned to the final of a tournament that he has already won as a teenager back in 2005 which was his last appearance. The 38-year-old will be facing either Portugal’s seventh seed Nuno Borges or Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante on Sunday as he looks forward to a 93rd singles title of his illustrious career. His latest triumph remains the 2022 French Open victory when he won the tournament for a record-extending 14th time.
🇪🇸 If this is a dream, don’t wake us up💙#nordeaopen #båstad #tennis #atp
📸 @liljasinstagram pic.twitter.com/raCWRtXy16
— Nordea Open (@NordeaOpen) July 20, 2024
Nadal breaks youngster’s back
Nadal was struggling early into the game against the 23-year-old Ajdukovic who got a 3-0 lead and handed the veteran a double breakdown in the opening set. Nadal, however, fought his way back, retelling he is still a force to be reckoned with. He, although got another poor start but got two breaks in the second set. He looked in complete control of the third set when he got 3-0 up only to end up losing his serve twice consecutively.
The former world number one broke again in the seventh game and then denied two more break points in the next as he eventually registered a win with an easy hold two games later.
Watch Nadal’s winning moment –
THE MOMENT RAFAEL NADAL REACHED HIS FIRST FINAL IN 2 YEARS pic.twitter.com/IUvGekBLzC
— ً (@nadalprop_) July 20, 2024
Olympics preparation
Nadal is gearing up for the Paris Olympics 2024 and is using the Nordea Open as a preparatory event for the grand stage. The Paris Games will hold the tennis clashes at the Roland Garros’ clay courts. He won the Olympic gold in the singles in Beijing in 2008 and gold in the doubles at Rio 2016.
It is highly noteworthy that Nadal only returned to action this week for the first time since the first-round loss at the French Open in late May. He was also due to play in the doubles later alongside Casper Ruud but pulled out as a precautionary measure in the tune-up to the final as he spent six hours on the court over his past two singles matches.
Here are a few social media reactions over Nadal’s resurgence –
6 wins in 6 days ✅️
131st career final ✅️
72nd final on clay ✅️
38 year-old Rafael Nadal. Beyond belief. pic.twitter.com/iv9MP5qsxV
— ً (@nadalprop_) July 20, 2024
AS. GOOD. AS. IT. GETS. 🤯@RafaelNadal #NordeaOpen pic.twitter.com/FDta5hznBZ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 20, 2024
38 years old, battled with injuries and now in the final.
THE GREATEST. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/atvVgHe2VR
— Rafael Nadal Fans Page (@jusvan28) July 20, 2024
Rafael Nadal is into his first Final since Roland Garros 2022.
— Maria (@tennislols) July 20, 2024
The wait is over! 🔥 After 776 days, Rafa is back in the final. 💪🏼🎾 He overcomes Duje Ajdukovic 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the Bastad semifinals. 🌟 What a joy to see Rafa healthy and winning again! 🙌
📷: baslinjen pic.twitter.com/XsG1EgsNTT
— Rafael Nadal Fans (@RafaelNadalFC) July 20, 2024
RAFAEL NADAL WINS 4 SINGLES MATCHES IN A ROW FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE WIMBLEDON 2022
OVER TWO YEARS AGO… 25 MONTHS
HE IS ETERNAL 👑 pic.twitter.com/2xA50QEQYJ
— Swish 🍒 (@Zwxsh) July 20, 2024
Clay title No.64 within reach! 🤯🏆@RafaelNadal returns to a tour-level final for the first time since @rolandgarros 2022
📸@NordeaOpen | #NordeaOpen pic.twitter.com/LmreqseYCD
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 20, 2024
Rafael Nadal looked at his vintage best as he rallied past Croatia’s Duje Ajdukovic to the Swedish Open 2024 final which marks his first final in a span of two years. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
