Two clay-loving competitors will finally be facing each other away from their preferred stomping grounds when Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem clash in the U.S. Open quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Even for the best clay-court player ever and the second-best clay-courter of the present, 10 consecutive encounters on the red stuff without a single one on any other surface is an alarming number. But that is the case with Nadal vs. Thiem, which will be a rematch of this year’s French Open final–won by the Spaniard 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. He leads the head-to-head series 7-3 overall, including 2-1 this season and 5-2 dating back to the start of 2017.
Even when they landed in the same quarter of the draw, another installment of this familiar rivalry could not have been expected due to Thiem’s recent woes. The world No. 9 endured his usual post-Roland Garros slump, compiling a 1-2 record on grass, even falling twice early in clay-court events, and exiting Toronto in his first match with a loss to eventual runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas. But Thiem has suddenly turned it all around in New York, where he is through to the quarters for the first time following wins over Mirza Basic, Steve Johnson, Taylor Fritz, and Kevin Anderson.
Nadal’s U.S. Open title defense has not been completely smooth sailing, as he has has been pushed twice through four matches while also dealing with an apparent minor knee issue. The world No. 1 rolled over David Ferrer and Vasek Pospisil before dropping one set to both Karen Khachanov and Nikoloz Basilashvili, even trailing Khachanov by a set and a break at one point. Nonetheless, Nadal has improved to an awesome 44-3 in 2018 to set up another showdown against an opponent who always looked up to him.
“[My] earliest memories I think was when he beat Roger in the French semis in 2005,” Thiem said of Nadal. “I was 11 back then. Didn’t really think that I would also play him one day, but it’s very nice. It’s going to be the first time on hard court, which is a completely new experience.
“[I’ve had] three very nice experiences and [seven] horrible experiences,” the Austrian joked. “But no, I’m really looking forward to play him on hard court for the first time. On clay, I think it’s one of the biggest challenges in sports to beat this guy or to compete with this guy. I hope that it’s a little bit more comfortable on hard court, but I’m not sure.”
“He’s a fantastic player,” Nadal said of Thiem. “He’s a very powerful player. He’s a great guy; very good relationship with him. Happy for him that he’s in quarterfinals here…. Gonna be a tough one. Yeah, I need to play my best match of the tournament if I want to keep having chances to stay in the tournament.”
The 17-time major champion says that before every match, but he may really mean it this time based on how Thiem played against Anderson (the 24-year-old called it one of the best matches of his career). Still, Thiem’s hard-court history is such that it is difficult to see him turning in that kind of performance twice in succession–especially with Nadal on the other side of the net.
As long as Nadal is at or very close to 100 percent, he should have both the physical and mental edge in a grueling baseline battle.
Pick: Nadal in 4
[polldaddy poll=10096350]
Thiem in 5
Nadal in four
Eugene…you usually forecast right..now that’s concerning
What is your pred for fed novak
Sanju, Nadal could also nicely make it in 4. The reason I chose Thiem in 5 is because Rafa seemed worried about something/less confident. On other hand, maybe the last 2 matches will have an empowering effect on him and he will cruise. Also Thiem played amazing vs Anderson. We all know however how unstable his form is. If Nadal will play at the same level he did against Bas and Kachanov with very volatile serving game and Thiem keeps it strong, I see a long battle. The best of Thiem would have to fight hard to put down this Rafa.
Fed – Djoko… hard to say. Let’s see how they do in their 4th round matches first đ
Yes his body language seems to have some underlying concern just like fed had last year
Could be another heavyweight fight…like the Katchanov match….but Rafa in 3.
GOAT FTW!!!
I am sticking with Rafa to bring it in this match. He knows what has to be done. He is battling so hard and I have to respect that.
Vamos Rafa!
A normal Rafa, no doubt I would pick him against Theim! But this Rafa I really dot know!
If Thiem does win, it’ll be because Nadal was injured/nervous /etc.
A ‘normal’ Rafa wouldn’t need any excuses, certainly not in advance .
Yeah, Big Al. I’d be very surprised if Theim gets a set. Should be a straight forward win for Rafa. It’s surprising to me that Thiem got this far. But if the court is playing super slow that suits Thiem – also I imagine he keeps himself in good fitness and trains to endure these conditions. (unlike Jack Sock)
Thiem does have huge potential , but I haven’t much faith in anyone with a SHBH against Nadal (with one exception)
Do I detect a hint of sarcasm, Al?
If Thiem wins, Id like to see him get some credit , that’s all.
Fat chance on this forum.
Rafan axiom #1: If Nadal loses, he must be injured.
Match of the day was Osaka v Sabalenka!
No one gives a rip about that though lol
I actually watched a bit of it over breakfast. Great match!
Missed it , love Osakas game.
Rafans have already resigned themselves that their man isn’t going to win the US Open.
Whoever does win , will at least have a trophy , asterisk or not .
Id love to see someone different win, like Goffin or Nishikori .
No thatâs actually your axiom Joe Blow unless you can tell me when Federer lost at his best on grass orchard court.
#CricketsChirping
#NotAsLoudAsTheHypocrites
his knee is in pain, no? and he is not doing himself a favor by playing long matches, no?
I expect Nadal to bring the form he has in his last two matches, which has generally been good except for his serve. The outcome of this match will hinge on Thiem’s form. If he plays like he did against Anderson, he will win going away; I doubt present-form Nadal could defeat him at that level on this surface. There is no guarantee that Thiem will be able to replicate that form, of course, but I think he is more likely to play very well than very poorly. Thiem in 4.
According to fedfans hurting that Federer is no longer GOAT, Rafa will always lose against any inform player off clay.
Itâs quite funny. Yet also sad.
Beating Nadal in Madrid, then losing badly at RG and Rosewall even said he was disappointing, might just be the shot in the arm he needs to beat him this time.
But Im still going with Nadal, Id prefer to see a Delpo rematch .
I have it on good authority that Thiemâs coach secretly told Roswall to say that to motivate Thiem the next time they met!
#SavvyCoachingMoves
I am very very sure there’ll be an up & downs from Rafa in this match…A few heart flippin’ for me,a few buckets of lovin’ & cursin’ words from me to Rafa,a few rounds of sofa kicking…And then….RAFA WIN!!!….Wooohooo!!
As much as Thiem was impressive against Anderson..i believe the loss to Rafa at FO still lingered in his mind…after that loss,Thiem confessed that playing Rafa was horrible!…Even tho the win was on clay…but the dust of that ‘horrible’ feelings will appear again tonight…And Rafa promised to up his game & be aggressive…And heh heh….i believe him…..Therefore,Rafa in 3….or 4[if lapses & loss of focus still showing their face..URGH!!]
VAMOS RAFA!!!….WHOOOOOO!!..BRING IT ON!!…LET’S TEACH THIS KID A LESSON AGAIN BOSS!!!!
dude u pick nadal to win every match. thiems winning this one. kachy pushed him hard. thiems flat over better than kachy
Tennis is not necessarily linear. Transitive property doesnât apply particularly when itâs Rafa.
(That said, go big on Thiem!!!)
Rafa in 4 or 5. Rafa tends to play himself into shape during the early rounds. He’s stated himself that he has not been at his best level and knows he has to find it NOW. He’ll do his bestest and, as always, he’ll leave it all out there on the court.
For the record, after winning Toronto Rafa (and his team) said he had not been “feeling the ball” well, but had competed very well.
Just wanted to add that several really good and in form players (all but one of Federer, Djokovic, Cilic, Nishikori, Thiem, Isner, Del Potro and, yes, Nadal) are not going to win this tournament. Losing a tournament isn’t a character flaw. All but one guy is going to lose. That’s just the way it works. I think this looks like maybe the best major we’ve had in awhile. So kudos to the winner and condolences to the losers. You’ve all done very well, and will, I trust, continue to be a credit to your profession and an inspiration to fans everywhere.
Nadal all the way to the final facing Nole
hopefully thiem to save tennis. he is more talented player even if he loses. will have to put my noise canceling headphones in order to block wafa’s uncomfortable grunting.
Why to watch the match if you have so much pain seeing it. Nobody is forcing you. You are just a troll and attention seeker.
Nadal already saved tennis from The Weak Era.
(No coincidence around the same time that Roger won his last US Open.)
Awwwwwwww.
#TooSoon?
Yes too soon. Not fair on great people like Benny Eugene and Kevin!
Thx Amy. I’m ok when hawks tries to mess with trolls like grassgoat so its all good. Still too soon though hawks đ
Sorry BG. I’ll leave it out then.
Federer is not done IMO. This really was a one off loss in the most extreme conditions players have faced and it’s a crap shoot now. I believe that Federer was sincere when he said it was simply the overbearing heat and that he was unable to breathe or stop sweating heavily.
Up for grabs to the player that handles it best.
(Also, commies to Scoot, another very fine fedfan – other than his definitely not Rafa faux pas.)
Rafa, see what happen to Fed? ok!!!! You better come out swinging!! Vamos!!
With the loss of Fed,i hope Rafa will find a new zen to do everything he could here to secure his 18th…Hopefully,he will handle Thiem in just 2 hrs…And DelPo/Isner in 2 1/2 hrs…That’s it!
VAMOS RAFA!!!
Thiem might be in some form, but a HC match against Nadal is always going to be a tall order. Given Rafa has dropped some sets recently I wouldn’t be that surprised if he drops one more, but I’m not seeing a loss here unless he’s physically struggling.