Absolute surprise in Mallorca: Nuno Borges, the best Portuguese tennis player currently, eliminated Italian Luciano Darderi, the top seed and world number 16, thus securing a historic place in the semi-finals of the Spanish tournament. The Portuguese player, currently ranked 53rd in the ATP hierarchy, exceeded all expectations by defeating the favorite in just two sets, 7-6 (7-1) and 6-4, in a display of steel nerves and immense competitive maturity.
The match, played in an electrifying atmosphere and under intense pressure, was decided in just one hour and 36 minutes. Borges was relentless in the key moments, capitalizing on the only break opportunity of the match, while Darderi faltered with four unforced errors at crucial points. The player from Maiorca, who entered the court as an outsider, managed to control the pace of the game and, above all, never wavered on his serve, consistently staying ahead during the most tense moments.
This result is particularly significant considering that Luciano Darderi was coming off a series of convincing victories and was seen as the main contender for the title in Mallorca. For Borges, this marks an unprecedented milestone: for the first time this season, the Portuguese player has reached the semi-finals of an ATP tournament and, even more importantly, he has done so for the first time on grass — precisely in the week leading up to the prestigious tournament of Wimbledon. The achievement is further highlighted by the fact that this is only the third time Borges has reached this stage of an ATP tournament, and the first since January 2025, in Auckland.
At the end of the match, still on the court, Nuno Borges did not hide his satisfaction and explained the tactical approach he adopted against his opponent’s powerful serve. “I tried to find some good answers at the beginning because he was serving very well at the start. I didn’t play very well in the important moments, but I managed to hold my serve, which is very important here. Then I had to wait for my opportunity, which only came at the end,” said the Portuguese tennis player, visibly emotional with the victory.
It is worth noting that this was the third time Borges and Darderi faced each other, with the Portuguese always coming out on top. The series began at the Barletta Challenger in 2022, was repeated in Auckland in 2025, and now, in Mallorca, Borges once again demonstrated his superiority over the Italian. Both will participate in the Estoril Open, which promises to reignite the rivalry between the two players on home soil.
With this victory, Nuno Borges renews the hopes of Portuguese tennis in an increasingly competitive and international circuit. The athlete from Maia will now face Ethan Quinn, the American ranked 63rd in the world, who secured his place in this stage by defeating Czech player Vit Kopriva. This will be the first encounter between Borges and Quinn, an unprecedented duel that promises strong emotions, with the Portuguese once again entering as the underdog — a status that, it seems, only serves to motivate him even more.
Looking ahead, Borges’ presence in the semifinals in Mallorca not only represents a massive moral boost for Wimbledon, but also serves as a warning to all his opponents: the Portuguese player is in great shape, confident, and increasingly solid on all surfaces. If he can maintain the level displayed against Darderi, Borges could aspire not only to a place in the final but also to an even more dazzling career on the world circuit. For now, Portugal once again has reasons to dream big in international tennis.
NOW YOU CAN FOLLOW THE WORLD CUP WITH ALL THE INFORMATION – HERE
Discover more from Apito Final
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
