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]
Thiem has two break points after hitting a forehand into the net.
This has a familar ring – Thiem breaks back.
nobody gives breaks back like Rafael Nadal
#HalfaRafa
set Thiem
incredible how he lost serve there. incredible
but not surprising
Rafa’s forehand had been inconsistent so far.
Better forehand from Rafa.
Rafa played a lot better in this last service game.
huge volley to avoid 30-0
A combined 5 winners and 38 unforced errors in the first set.
The entire ATP is laughing for 10 minutes.
This is really dreadful. I changed my plans today to watch this.
Forehand has been a debacle
#Vulgar
Texas-sized hold from Rafa
Looking like the stomach bug might be back
Them is playing the best tennis of his life!!!!
Meal tickets are everywhere.
#Halfa-Rafa-All-You-Can-Eat-Buffet
I think Theim should change his name to Dominic Them.
Do you? Or don’t you.
i-B4-e
And somehow we are to believe that Rafa’s serve and FH are so bad due to age, past injury and slowing down.
Don’t believe the propaganda.
Do you?
No, it is a part of it. There is the other factor of lack of confidence. But one cannot ignore the reality of getting older in this sport.
This is not black or white.
Yet another FH UE.
How many times???
Ricky may be right about the stomach bug. Rafa has seemed kind of subdued.
This second set is way too tight for my liking.
I said before the match that rafa’s forehand would have to be on in this match. But it’s been inconsistent and that’s a huge problem for Rafa.
that between the legs shot from earlier was a poor decision. i think thiem is setting himself up for a choke.
rafa’s winning this.
absolute implosion by Thiem
Yep!
Where did that come from?
reusable
Wow! Rafa breaks Thiem to take the second set!
They have Monfils-Kohls on now, too. On serve.
Rafa’s serve stats were better in the second set. Also more winners.
Chronic loose uncharacteristic fh errors are mental not age.
End of.
It’s not end of anything. Aging is a fact. It is part of the problem, not all of it.
no, not uncharacteristic chronic FH UEs.
#MentalProblema
I am not disagreeing about the mental aspect of all the UE’s. But I also believe that aging is a factor.