Rafael Nadal was looking for this Saturday the qualification for the final of the Bastad Open 2024. The Spaniard was facing Duje Ajdukovic who had just completed a great tournament. In fact, it was going to cost him to beat him, since he had to come back from a set down to certify his pass to the duel for the title: 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Ajdukovic surprises Nadal in the first set
In the first set, Nadal started in the worst possible way, suffering a break that left Ajdukovic 0-1 up on the scoreboard. The Croatian then confirmed the break to make it 0-2. The problems were going to accumulate for Rafa with another break, although this time he would not let Ajdukovic to confirm it, and the score was 1-3. Nadal returned to the set certifying the break to make it 2-3, with the hope of a comeback.
Unfortunately for Nadal, Ajdukovic was going to keep very firm with all the service games he had left to take the first set. In fact, Rafa could not have a single ball break until the end of it, when with 4-5 the Croatian served to take the first set, which was to achieve with a very strong game. 4-6 and Nadal was forced to come back if he wanted to reach the final.
Rafa Nadal resuscitates in the second set
In the second set, Rafa Nadal had to strike as soon as possible. However, Duje Ajdukovic was playing at a very high level, and started this set again breaking the Spaniard's serve. Even so, Rafa would respond quickly and would not let the Croatian start this time 0-2, getting another break that returned equality to the scoreboard. In the following games, Nadal was more solid with his serve, winning two blanks in a row until 3-2.
At this point was to come the axe of Rafa, which was expected. Nadal managed to break Ajdukovic's serve to take a 4-2 lead and put the second set in his favor by confirming the break at 5-2. In the end, the Spaniard managed to return the draw to the overall score of sets taking the second by 6-3.
Nadal produces in a crazy third set
In the third set, Nadal started very strongly breaking Ajdukovic's serve after getting 15-40 with two break balls. Rafa wanted to take advantage of his good moment on the track, and after confirming the break and put the 2-0, achieved another break that weakened and much the Croatian. 3-0.
However, Nadal was going to face two break balls that brought his rival back to life. Ajdukovic was 3-1, and in the blink of an eye was again 3-3 after another consecutive break that surprised Rafa. Back to equality.
Still, Nadal was not going to come down despite missing that 3-0, and returned to break the Croatian serve to achieve the 4-3. Now he had to confirm the break. Here, again Nadal was going to face two break balls, but the Spaniard saved them to put the 5-3 and put on track and the victory, which would get closing the third set 6-4.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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