DOMINIC THIEM SAVES A MATCH POINT AND BEATS RAFAEL NADAL IN BUENOS AIRES ATP TENNIS BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 13th February 2016

ABN AMRO World Tennist Tournament in Rotterdam

Martin Klizan of Slovakia in action against Marcus Baghatis of Cyprus, during the second round match of the ABN AMRO World Tennist Tournament in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 11 February 2016. EPA/KOEN SUYK

epa05155448 Martin Klizan of Slovakia in action against Marcus Baghatis of Cyprus, during the second round match of the ABN AMRO World Tennist Tournament in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 11 February 2016. EPA/KOEN SUYK |

Stunning result as Dominic thiem beats Rafa nadal in 3 very tight sets winning 6-4 4-6 7-6 #buenosairesargentina #thiem #victory (Gabriel Rossi) – Photo by @tennis_phil via Instagram.

Dominic Thiem’s rise reached new heights on Saturday with a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4) win over Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the Argentina Open. Thiem saved one match point at 4-5 in the final set before prevailing in two hours and 50 minutes.

The 22-year-old Austrian battled back from a break down in the first before it was Nadal’s turn to recover from a break deficit in the third. Nadal maintained momentum through to the 10th game of the set, which required five deuces to be decided. Thiem fought off the one match point with a forehand winner and finally managed to hold. The world No. 19 stormed ahead 6-1 in the ‘breaker and capitalized on his fourth chance at 6-4 to clinch victory.

“6/4 4/6 7/6 against Rafael Nadal,” Thiem wrote on Facebook. “Bamos defeated Vamos! I can not believe it! It were intense 3 hours on the court today, I fought off a match-point and managed to gain a win over one of the best clay courters. To beat such a player is insane, I will never forget that moment in my life.”

Up next for the No. 5 seed is Nicolas Almagro, who scored an improbable upset of his own. Previously 0-15 lifetime against fellow Spaniard David Ferrer, Almagro finally turned the tide with a 6-4, 7-5 victory. The underdog undoubtedly benefited from the fact that Ferrer was playing his second match of the day because of rain (he beat Pablo Cuevas in three sets earlier on Saturday).

Thiem and Almagro will be facing each other for the second time in their careers and for the second time already this season on Sunday. They just squared off last month at the Australian Open, where Thiem dominated 6-3, 6-1, 6-3. Now, however, Almagro finds himself on his preferred clay-court surface. Unfortunately for him, Thiem is also at his best on clay even though the 22-year-old is an all-court player.

A surprising final is also on the Sunday schedule at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. Gael Monfils and Martin Klizan will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers. Their only previous meeting came at the 2007 Washington, D.C. event, where Monfils prevailed 7-6(5), 6-4.

The Frenchman has been surprisingly business-like so far in Rotterdam. He has defeated Ernests Gulbis, Borna Coric, Alexander Zverev, and Philipp Kohlschreiber with little fanfare. After dropping his only set of the week to Coric, Monfils promptly dominated the third 6-2.

Business-like is exactly what Klizan has not been on the way to his fourth career ATP final. The 43rd-ranked Slovak staved off five match points against Roberto Bautista Agut before fighting off three more in what was a bizarre semifinal performance against Nicolas Mahut. Despite all kinds of ridiculous antics, Klizan kept his wits about him to storm back for a 6-7(3), 7-6(7), 6-2 victory. Klizan is 3-0 lifetime in ATP title matches, whereas Monfils is a shockingly poor 5-17.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Results from Argentina Open (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

RESULTS – SATURDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2016

Singles – Semi-finals

[5] D. Thiem (AUT) d [1] [WC] R. Nadal (ESP) 64 46 76(4)

N. Almagro (ESP) d [2] D. Ferrer (ESP) 64 75

Singles – Quarter-finals

[2] D. Ferrer (ESP) d [8] P. Cuevas (URU) 64 16 63

Doubles – Semi-finals

I. Cervantes (ESP) / P. Lorenzi (ITA) d F. Delbonis (ARG) / A. Molteni (ARG) 76(5) 75

SCHEDULE – SUNDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2016

GUILLERMO VILAS start 12:00 noon

[1] J. Cabal (COL) / R. Farah (COL) vs I. Cervantes (ESP) / P. Lorenzi (ITA)

Not Before 2:00 pm

[5] D. Thiem (AUT) vs N. Almagro (ESP)

Topics: 10sballs.com, Abn Amro World Tennis Tournament, Argentina Open, Atp World Tour, Buenos Aires, Dominic Thiem, Gael Monfils, Martin Klizan, Rafa Nadal, Ricky Dimon, Rotterdam, Tennis News

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Dimonator says:

February 13, 2016 at 9:39 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: -@ThiemDomi Saves A Match Point And Beats Rafa In #BuenosAires #ATP #Tennis By @Dimonator
https://t.co/6p4P29gf7d https:/…
Tennisnewsroom says:

February 13, 2016 at 10:32 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: -@ThiemDomi Saves A Match Point And Beats Rafa In #BuenosAires #ATP #Tennis By @Dimonator
https://t.co/6p4P29gf7d https:/…