BASTAD, Sweden (AFP) — Rafael Nadal has reached his first final since winning the 2022 French Open, defeating Croatian qualifier Duje Ajdukovic in a grueling three-set match in Bastad on Saturday. This achievement comes ahead of the Paris Olympics.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion was tested by world number 130 Ajdukovic, who had only won two tour-level matches prior to this week. Despite losing the first set, Nadal prevailed with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory, marking his return to the final of a tournament he last competed in and won as a teenager in 2005.
“It was a very tough match, to be honest. It was very difficult, but I haven’t been in a final for a long time. I found a way to survive and get to the final. It’s great news and I’m very happy,” Nadal said.
The 38-year-old Spaniard will aim for his 93rd career singles title against Portuguese seventh seed Nuno Borges, who defeated Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-3, 6-4.
Nadal’s last title win was at the French Open two years ago, where he claimed his record-extending 14th title.
“It’s always a great feeling to be back in the final. Winning four matches in a row is something I haven’t achieved since two years ago,” said Nadal, whose ranking has fallen to 261st due to recurring injuries. “A lot has happened… I had very important hip surgery almost a year ago and I am still recovering from a lot of things I lost, so things haven’t been that easy. But I’m fighting. I’ve been fighting throughout the tournament to get to where I am today. Matches like yesterday and today help me improve a lot of things on the court, so I’m happy with it. Let’s see if I can play a little bit better tomorrow.”
Nadal faced early difficulties against the 23-year-old Ajdukovic, falling double-break down at 0-3 in the first set. He managed to recover from another poor start in the second set by breaking serve twice. In the third set, Nadal took a 3-0 lead and appeared to have control of the match before losing serve twice in succession. He broke again in the seventh game, withstood two more break points in the next game, and ultimately held on to win two games later.
Nadal is using the Bastad tournament as preparation for the Olympics, where tennis will be played on clay courts. He won gold in singles at the 2008 Beijing Games and in doubles at the 2016 Rio Games. This week marked his return to competition after losing in the first round of the French Open in late May.
Nadal was also set to play doubles with Kasper Ruud later on Saturday but announced his withdrawal as a precaution after spending six hours on court in his past two singles matches.
