"Many congratulations to Nuno," Nadal said. "You've been playing great all week, so you deserve it more than anyone else here. Today wasn't my best day, but all the credit to Nuno. He played very well and it was so difficult for me, so well done."

Borges broke Nadal's serve early to go 3-1 up, with Nadal saving break points before overhitting a forehand. Although Nadal immediately broke back, Borges regained control by breaking Nadal's serve again to take the first set. 

Nadal struggled with his serve and groundstrokes throughout the match, holding just his second service game of the opening set to force Borges to serve for it, which he did successfully.

In the second set, Nadal showed glimpses of his old self but was broken again at 2-2. Borges then won the next three games, sealing his first career title in his first-ever match-up against the former world number one with an ace.

"I don't know what to say. I think I was wishing for this moment for a while already," Borges said. "It's crazy, in tennis it doesn't happen when you expect it sometimes. 

"I know we all wanted Rafa to win, a part of me wished that too, but something even bigger inside of me really pushed through today, I'm just really happy overall. I really don't know what to say, I'm very emotional."

Nadal’s return to form in Scandinavia had been promising, especially with the Olympics on the horizon, but Borges proved too strong on the day, denying the Spanish legend another title.