Competition for Rafael Nadal will heat up on Saturday in Buenos Aires in the form of Dominic Thiem, who will go up against the Spaniard during semifinal action. The winner may have an advantage in the title match, as No. 2 seed David Ferrer still has to complete his rain-delayed quarterfinal contest against Pablo Cuevas.
Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they collide in the semifinals of the Argentina Open on Saturday. Their only previous showdown came in round two of the 2014 French Open, with Nadal cruising 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.
Fast forward more than a full season and Thiem is now a three-time ATP tournament champion and has climbed to No. 19 in the world. All three of the 22-year-old Austrian’s titles have come at 250-point events on outdoor clay, such as this one in Buenos Aires. Thiem is two victories away from another winner’s trophy after taking out Pablo Carreno Busta, Gastao Elias (saved one match point), and Dusan Lajovic.
Solid but unspectacular since getting a first-round bye as the No. 1 seed, Nadal ended Juan Monaco’s comeback tournament with a 6-4, 6-4 victory before scraping past Paolo Lorenzi 7-6(3), 6-2 on Friday. The fifth-ranked Spaniard is seeking a second consecutive title at the Argentina Open.
This is a huge opportunity for Thiem–even on clay–given Nadal’s relative lack of dominance at the moment. While the 14-time major champion is obviously right at home on the slow stuff, it is also the underdog’s favorite surface. It remains to be seen, though, how Thiem’s one-handed backhand will stand up to Nadal’s heavy topspin. His one-hander is flashy, but it is not as consistent as Richard Gasquet’s or as powerful as Stan Wawrinka’s. Count on this one being competitive, with Nadal ultimately wearing Thiem down in a physical baseline battle.
Pick: Nadal in 3
[polldaddy poll=9308450]
who ya got?
Thiem in 3.
Nadal has been solid this week from what I’ve seen and I’m still not convinced with Thiem yet even though its on clay, but just have a gut feeling here that Thiem takes a tight first, Nadal handles the second easily and looks in command, and then Thiem pulls it out in the third.
almost agree
I gave up on predicting Rafa’s matches this time last year 🙁
At least it’s not Friday the 13rh
?? ?
Heart says Rafa… but how often does the heart get it right when predicting tennis matches involving Rafa?
Be calm, be focused, be confident, be strong, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CbF8tLIUkAElgZ8.jpg
Cc’d to Benny!
To each his own dream.
You have yours and I have mine.
Except I know mine is pretend.
Do you? Or don’t you.
Pretendiness has not been unnoticed.
I no longer pick against halfa-Rafa.
Will be cheering for Rafa but match should be a close one…rafa in 3.
Rafa in three though Thiem can win this. Should be a good one.
Them can only win if halfa-Rafa plays poorly which wouldn’t be a good one.
yup…it depends on Rafa…
I agree that this match depends on Rafa. I think it’s going to be a tough one, considering how Rafa hasn’t looked that great in his first two matches against guys who weren’t able to really challenge him.
Thiem is going to come out with nothing to lose and just go for his shots. He’s got the game, but Rafa has the experience and the fitness. Rafa can wear down anyone.
I think Rafa will pull it out in 3 sets. At least I hope so, but I cannot pretend that I am not nervous about this one.
I seriously dislike spell check.
Don’t you? Or do you.
Yes, I do seriously dislike spell check!
Tough match for Rafa.
He will pummel Thiem’s backhand, we know that. The way thiem plays his backhands on the run is a bit different which allows him to hit more backhands on the run and not slice that often. But of course, if rafa’s forehand is on, he can make him run wide enough and play slices (which are pretty average) and then dictate play.
Thiem backhand grip is suited to hitting flat backhands and wonder he hits MASSIVE backhands CC and DTL. His forehand can generate sufficint spin and he has a BIG forehand inside out (could be troublesome for rafa).
If rafa keeps a check on his UE, he can control this match from the baseline.
Thiem’s got a strong first serve and a good second serve so rafa better be careful with ROS. Keeping a good length is , of course, CRUCIAL.
2 sets or 3 sets, I think Rafa will be the winner here.
So much depends on rafa’s forehand. He will go for forehands DTL and I hope he misses very few.
Go Rafa!
vamosrafa,
I like your analysis. Rafa’s forehand needs to be on for this match. It makes so much difference when he can get the length and penetration on his signature shot.
However, Thiem is very talented and will come out with no nerves and no fear. I have said before that players do not fear Rafa anymore. He’s lost that aura of invincibility. Therefore, players come out with the belief that they can beat him.
I hope Rafa plays well and gets it done.
game time
Rafa in three. Thiem needed 3 sets to get past PCB and Gustao Elias. Rafa gets better with each match. I’ll say in 3, just in case Rafa needs it.
Waiting for Cuevas and Ferrer match to start.
lol, Klizan getting booed – conduct warning.
Ferrer is trailing 5:0 against Cuevas in the 2nd set having taken the first set 64.
^^^Sorry, wrong thread.
Players getting ready!
Vamos Rafa!
On the tennis channel they just said that Rafa did have an upset stomach yesterday. The conditions are very hot and humid.
30-30. Thiem wins a net point.
There’s Guillermo!
0-15. Forehand 11 meters out.
15-15
Ad-in after a big serve
game after a forehand on the outside of the line
Rafa holds.
the wonders of getting depth on a return!!!
Rafa breaks Thiem in his first service game.
2-0 Nadal with a deep return
Great drop shot from Rafa on his serve, seeing Thiem so far back.