🎾 ATP Eastbourne – Round 1 Preview Nuno Borges vs Jack Pinnington Jones

🎾 ATP Eastbourne – Round 1 Preview

Nuno Borges vs Jack Pinnington Jones

Experience vs homegrown momentum in this intriguing turf clash.

🧠 Form & Context

Nuno Borges
🎯 Top 40 and in career-best form on tour—made Hertogenbosch QF on grass earlier this month.
🔥 Strong Roland-Garros run (3R, d. Ruud) carried momentum into grass season.
🧱 Solid all-court baseline game with a reliable backhand and improving serve placement.
🌱 Just 1–2 on grass this year, but pushed RBA to three sets at Queen’s.
📉 Still seeking his first Eastbourne win (0–1 in 2023).

Jack Pinnington Jones
🚀 Home favorite on a breakout run—reached Ilkley Challenger final last week with 5 straight wins.
🌿 5–3 on grass in 2025 and playing some of his most composed tennis to date.
👶 Still very inexperienced at ATP level, but has won a set in 3 of his 4 tour-level losses this year.
🇬🇧 First-ever Eastbourne main draw appearance; motivation will be sky high.
📈 Known for powerful forehand and fearless shot selection—especially on quick courts.

🔍 Match Breakdown

• Experience edge: Borges has more time logged on grass and against top-level opponents.
• Power vs precision: Jones brings aggression and crowd energy; Borges counters with consistency and placement.
• Return games: Borges’ ability to neutralize big first serves may frustrate the Brit, especially on second-serve returns.
• Opening intensity: Jones will need to ride early adrenaline and take time away from Borges to avoid getting drawn into long rallies.
• Surface composure: Borges’ all-court patience could prove pivotal if exchanges grow tense late in sets.

🔮 Prediction

Prediction: Borges in 2 sets
Expect at least one close set—possibly a tiebreak—but the Portuguese should weather the early storm and pull away with his polished baseline control.

📊 Tale of the Tape

• 2025 W/L: Borges 20–14 • Pinnington Jones 25–13 (combined)
• Grass Record (2025): Borges 1–2 • Pinnington Jones 5–3
• ATP Main Draw Experience: Borges 50+ matches • Pinnington Jones fewer than 10
• H2H: First meeting