Nadal marks singles return with win against Borg

Rafael Nadal’s first singles match since losing in the first round of the French Open in May ended with a 6-3 6-4 win against Leo Borg in the first round of the Swedish Open.

Nadal, 38, missed Wimbledon to focus on the Olympics in Paris this summer and was making his return to action at the tournament in Bastad.

The Spaniard, who won a doubles match with Casper Ruud on Monday, broke his 21-year-old Swedish opponent, the son of tennis legend Bjorn Borg, with a drop shot in the fourth game.

Nadal went on to serve out the ninth game to love to take the first set.

He broke world number 461 Borg in the first game of the second set and, despite losing the first point when serving for the match, Nadal won the game to claim victory in one hour 24 minutes.

“Great feelings,” said Nadal. “It was a huge honour to play against the son of one of the biggest legends in the history of our sport.

“He played quite well. He has a future in front so I wish him all the very best.”

Nadal will play Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the second round. – bbc.com