Nuno Borges is gearing up for his next challenge at the Madrid Masters 1,000 after a thrilling win on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old Portuguese tennis player, currently ranked 41st in the world, defeated Spain’s Pablo Carreño Busta in a grueling three-set match that lasted two hours and 33 minutes.
The final score was 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (7-3), and 6-3, with Borges saving a crucial break point in the second set and ultimately breaking Carreño Busta’s serve once in the deciding set.
Next Opponent: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Borges’ next opponent will be Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, a Spanish player ranked 29th in the world, who received a bye in the first round.
The two players have faced each other before; their last encounter was in 2024 at the Australian Open, where Borges emerged victorious in the second round.
Their upcoming match is scheduled for Friday.
A Successful Start on Clay
Borges’ win over Carreño Busta, a former top 10 player now ranked 96th, marked his first survival in the opening round of the Madrid tournament this season.
Previously, he had fallen in the first round at Miami, the only time he had played in the tournament’s opening round this season.
Carreño Busta, the 2017 Estoril Open champion, was a tough opponent, but Borges’ determination paid off in the end.