2024 Swedish Open ATP 250 Finals matchup - Rafael Nadal (SPN) v/s [7] Nuno Borges (POR)

[KingCarlitos]

We really need 2022 Nadal rn.

 

[KingCarlitos]

sorry didn't mean spam

 

[MichaelNadal]

Nuno Borges is the Johnny Stamboli of tennis

 

[Hitman]

Nadal's defensive lob is one of the best ever in the business. Hewitt and Murray I think are the only one I feel rival him.

Borges broken again. Poor match.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Yet another break! Both mugging it up on serve!

 

[KingCarlitos]

man this is a real breakfest.

 

[ibbi]

Has Rafa just got a permanently injured abdomen now, or what? Why can't he serve?

 

[Rafa the King]

Awful performance again from Rafa so far

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Too many poor errors from nadal! He very frustrated right now and can understand why.

 

[KingCarlitos]

this is like a junior match where recieving is the advantage.

 

[Hitman]

Nadal has been broken at least three times in the last six sets he has played heading into this one.

Broken in his first three service games to start this final.

Shows even Gods become mortal with age.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Brilliant dropshot to break!

 

[Rafa the King]

Has Rafa just got a permanently injured abdomen now, or what? Why can't he serve?

It does seem that he has changed the style a little bit (for the worse) which could also be because he does not want to risk injuring the abdomen again. But the reason he is getting broken so much is not the serve, but his ground game, doing not enough damage and making way too many errors

 

[Hitman]

5-2

This match is so bad.

 

[marc45]

looks like he's run out of gas...anti-climactic end to the week

 

[KingCarlitos]

Rafa is letting him take the first set like an alpha dog.

 

[The_Order]

What a **** match...

Nadal has run out of lives in Bastad

 

[Hitman]

Borges looks like a knock off skinnier version of John Travolta from Saturday Night Fever.

 

[KingCarlitos]

stop writing off Rafaelito

 

[ScentOfDefeat]

He might as well have played the doubles if this was going to be his level.
He could've at least had a chance to win a title.

 

[Hitman]

Nadal held serve.

Incredible.

 

[KingCarlitos]

thankfully Rafa holds.

 

[Rafa the King]

Rafa’s past two opponents were actually better than Borges

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Nadal holds at last!

 

[WarriorRafa]

With this serve he's not making it out of R1 of any tournament higher than a 250

 

[KingCarlitos]

inadequate call, that was miles in

 

[SonicNirvana]

Yeah needed 0-30 this feels done

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Smarter tennis from borges. He just got to play solid and the percentages here

 

[Hitman]

Is Nadal feeling something in his leg? He pulled up on it twice.

First set to Borges.

 

[TennisFan3]

It does seem that he has changed the style a little bit (for the worse) which could also be because he does not want to risk injuring the abdomen again. But the reason he is getting broken so much is not the serve, but his ground game, doing not enough damage and making way too many errors

He had looked so different in Brisbane after injury. He was playing aggressively. Here he is just serving crap and hitting defensive moon balls. Possibly the worse I have ever seen Nadal play. Even the 2015 version would triple bagel the current one.

 

[Al Czervik]

Rafa +140 right now for you believers.

 

[KingCarlitos]

Rafa is going to storm back my friends.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Nadal has to improve his serve. It difficult though at this point in his career though.

 

[marc45]

really should retire after the Olympics which will likely be a quick out for him with a tough draw....if he wants to do a doubles send-off at Laver Cup with Carlos, like he did with Fed, that's fine, but it needs to stop after that...if he continues it only ends up in Murray and Wawrinka territory

 

[Hitman]

Nadal's run here has been brutal. He can still win this, he has won his last few matches in the final set. Borges I believe is playing his first ever final, so very likely will feel pressure.

 

[Nickos24]

Anyone with a link to a decent stream?

 

[KingCarlitos]

Anyone with a link to a decent stream?

an... illegal stream???

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

really should retire after the Olympics which will likely be a quick out for him with a tough draw....if he wants to do a doubles send-off at Laver Cup with Carlos, like he did with Fed, that's fine, but it needs to stop after that...if he continues it only ends up in Murray and Wawrinka territory

Fair enough. It does seem he’s at that point now. It depends if Rafa just wants to play for love of game or for titles. If it’s for big titles then you probably right but up to Rafa and what he wants to do. He earned that right to decide.

 

[KingCarlitos]

electric forehand...

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Nadal's run here has been brutal. He can still win this, he has won his last few matches in the final set. Borges I believe is playing his first ever final, so very likely will feel pressure.

That’s true. Nadal just has to keep this close to test Borges nerve.

 

[Hitman]

Nadal and Djokovic should just team up, become an official doubles team and go for the career slam in doubles.

 

[KingCarlitos]

Rafa holds!!!

 

[Tallawah Tennis]

Mellow yellow Borges, 1st set.
Raffers fights on, holds opening game under some pressure. The dude will fight.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Borges dropshot is a great strategy. Get the old man on the move more and more.

 

[Hitman]

You have to wonder what Nadal is going to have left for the Olympics, he has put an awful amount of energy out there for what was meant to be a warm up event. One of his most brutal weeks ever.

 

[KingCarlitos]

If Rafa doesn't win this it may be his last chance to win a title of any calibre.

 

[The_Order]

Almost a fresh airy...

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

You have to wonder what Nadal is going to have left for the Olympics, he has put an awful amount of energy out there for what was meant to be a warm up event. One of his most brutal weeks ever.

I agree. It feels like this has been Olympic week. I think he knows this is his best chance of winning another title.

He would like a run at the olympics but I feel he’s putting it all in here. Olympics isn’t realistic to win even at RG due to all the best players playing.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Yall sound so ridiculous lol

 

[KingCarlitos]

what a smash!!