BASTAD: Rafael Nadal reached his first final since winning the 2022 French Open, overcoming Croatian qualifier Duje Ajdukovic in a hard-fought three-set battle at Bastad on Saturday.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, competing for the first time since his early exit at this year’s French Open, faced a stern challenge from Ajdukovic, ranked 130th in the world and enjoying a breakthrough week with just two prior tour-level wins.
After dropping the first set 4-6, Nadal rallied back with characteristic determination to claim victory with scores of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. The win marks Nadal’s return to the final of the tournament where he first tasted success as a teenager in 2005.
Awaiting Nadal in Sunday’s final is the winner between Portuguese seventh seed Nuno Borges and Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante, as the Spaniard aims for the 93rd singles title of his illustrious career.
Nadal, whose last singles triumph came at Roland Garros in 2022, has chosen Bastad as a crucial preparation ground ahead of the Paris Olympics, where tennis will be contested on the clay courts of his beloved Roland Garros.
The 38-year-old’s return to competitive action this week has been closely watched by fans and pundits alike, following his unexpected early exit from the French Open in late May. Nadal is also scheduled to compete in the doubles later on Saturday alongside Casper Ruud, adding to his busy schedule at the Swedish tournament.
