TENNIS NEWS FROM ROME 2017 AS NADAL GOES DOWN TO DOMINIC THIEM

Written by: Staff on 19th May 2017

TENNIS NEWS FROM ROME 2017 AS NADAL GOES DOWN TO DOMINIC THIEM

epa05974960 Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his quater final match against Dominic Thiem of Austria at the Italian Open tennis tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 19 May 2017. EPA/ETTORE FERRARI |

Down goes Nadal: Thiem pulls off upset to reach Rome Masters semifinals

By Ricky Dimon

Rafael Nadal is perfect no more on red clay in 2017.

Nadal suffered his first clay-court loss of the season when he succumbed to a red-hot Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Friday afternoon. Thiem broke serve four times in 10 return games to advance after one hour and 51 minutes.

“I came in with a very aggressive game style, because I knew that if I wanted to have a chance, then I would have to do something different and be more aggressive,” the Austrian explained. “I knew that if it goes in, everything, maybe I have a chance. If not, maybe I also lose easy. But today was one of these days where I really felt the ball great on the racket, and a lot of risky shots went in.”

Thiem knew the necessary game-plan because he had already tried–and failed–to beat Nadal twice already this spring. They faced each other for titles in both Barcelona and Madrid, with the 14-time major champion getting the job done on both occasions. Thiem played one impressive set in Barcelona and two in Madrid, but it was not enough to damage his heavily favored opponent.

He had more than enough this time around in Rome.

With one set in hand, Thiem only got better in the second. The world No. 7 broke early, consolidated his advantage by saving three break points, and broke again at 5-3 to close out the match in style.

“It was a very, very good performance and I think probably one of my best matches,” Thiem assured. “It’s a great achievement for me. If you’re up a set and a break, you never feel safe because he just doesn’t give you one easy point. So you really have to finish the match off, and that’s what I did today with a little bit of trouble in my last service game.

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Dominic Thiem of Austria during their quarter final match for the Italian Open tennis tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 19 May 2017. EPA/ETTORE FERRARI

“He’s this kind of player who never gives up; probably the best fighter in tennis. Especially on clay it’s one of the toughest things to beat him.”

Nobody else has beaten Nadal on clay this season. The Spaniard had been 17-0 on the slow stuff with titles in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid. He turned in another commendable performance on Friday, but it was simply outclassed by the show put forth by Thiem.

“What was wrong is that the other player played very well,” Nadal said when asked what happened. “(I’m) very happy about the way that I played in the four weeks”