Seeds scattered in Stockholm as Leo Borg steals the spotlight

It was a day for dreamers and spoilers in Stockholm. The opening round of the BNP Paribas Nordic Open brought the downfall of all three seeded players in action, while a young Swede carrying one of Tennis’s most famous surnames delivered a moment to remember on home soil.

Sixth seed Alexandre Muller, fifth seed Tallon Griekspoor, and seventh seed Alexei Popyrin all crashed out within hours of each other, setting a tone of unpredictability at the ATP 250 event.

And while the Scandinavian autumn chill didn’t stop the upsets from rolling in, it was Leo Borg, son of the great Bjorn, who finally gave the Stockholm crowd a reason to roar.

Kecmanovic starts the chaos

Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic was the first to ignite the trend as he breezed past France’s Muller 6–4, 6–1 in barely over an hour. The 25-year-old, who had been searching for form after a run of early exits, rediscovered his timing indoors and dictated play with crisp baseline control.

The victory snapped a four-match losing streak and propelled him into the second round, where he’ll face either Tomas Martin Etcheverry or Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal.

For Kecmanovic, it was less about the upset and more about the release. After weeks of frustration, he finally looked like a player ready to climb again.

Fearnley’s redemption thriller

If Kecmanovic’s win was clinical, Jacob Fearnley’s was cinematic.

The British No. 4 had unfinished business in Stockholm. He had lost to Tallon Griekspoor here a year ago. But he got his payback this time in a marathon 6–3, 6–7, 7–6 victory that swung wildly before finally tipping his way after nearly three hours.

Up 5–3 in the deciding set, Fearnley blinked, twice failing to serve it out. In the final-set tiebreak, he led 6–2, only to see that cushion vanish as Griekspoor mounted one last surge.

But the Scot, who is ranked No. 79 in the world, held his nerve when it mattered the most and finished the job on his third match point to level their head-to-head at one win apiece.

“It was a war until the end,” Fearnley admitted afterward, visibly relieved. His serving numbers backed up the effort. He captured 78 percent of points behind his first serve and fended off the heavier firepower of the Dutchman’s 34 winners.

Fearnley’s reward is a second-round meeting with either Mikael or Elias Ymer — guaranteeing him another Swedish test.

Korda completes the seed sweep

Not long after, Sebastian Korda completed the day’s hat trick of seeded casualties. The American overcame a slow start to outlast Australia’s Popyrin 6–7, 6–1, 6–3.

Once Korda found his rhythm, his baseline precision and compact shot-making overwhelmed the seventh seed, who struggled to match Korda’s variety.

The 24-year-old American, a former Stockholm finalist, has long been considered a player capable of breaking into the top tier. Monday’s win, against a dangerous indoor player in Popyrin, could be a spark to reignite his season.

A Borg returns to the spotlight

But for the Swedish faithful, the night belonged to Leo Borg.

With his father Bjorn — the 11-time Grand Slam champion — watching from the stands, the 22-year-old wildcard delivered a composed 6–3, 6–4 victory over Austria’s Sebastian Ofner. It was only the younger Borg’s second career ATP Tour win, but it carried the weight of a much bigger moment.

“This is really special. My first Stockholm win means so much,” Borg said afterward, his voice cracking slightly as the home crowd chanted his name. “I’ve been injured, I’ve worked hard, and today I showed that I belong here.”

Ranked No. 633 in the world and still searching for consistency, Borg showed poise well beyond his experience as he converted two of three break chances and holding firm under pressure.

The victory, which is his first over a Top 150 opponent, was a symbolic full circle moment as it came 45 years after father Bjorn Borg lifted the Stockholm title by beating John McEnroe.

Next up for Borg is a glamour clash against 2019 champion Denis Shapovalov — a chance to measure his progress against a seasoned pro with firepower to spare.