Nuno Borges defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the Barcelona Open, sealing victory with a controversial underarm serve ace. The tactic stunned the crowd on Pista Rafa Nadal and led to a frosty handshake. Borges advanced despite battling cramps.
Nuno Borges faced intense pressure in his quarterfinal match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Barcelona Open. After Etcheverry saved the first match point with a return winner, Borges served an underarm ace on the deuce court to clinch the 6-3, 7-6 (3) win. The unexpected move left Etcheverry with hands on his hips in disbelief and drew mixed reactions from the crowd, with some fans disapproving of the tactic. Borges had struggled physically, taking a medical timeout for cramps in his left thigh during the second set. He later explained to Portuguese journalist José Morgado that he was dealing with a leg issue, suggesting the underarm serve was a practical choice amid his physical challenges. Etcheverry withdrew from his subsequent doubles match with Corentin Moutet. Borges now faces Hamad Medjedovic in the semifinals, carrying momentum from the dramatic victory. The underarm serve, while divisive, remains a legitimate strategy in modern tennis, as players adapt to deep return positions.
