Nadal eliminated from Australian Open, Thiem comes out triumphant in the quarter-finals
Rafael Nadal will suffer the opportunities he lost during his four-set defeat, 6-7 (3-7) 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-7 (6-8), against Dominic Thiem, in Australian Open quarterfinals.
The world’s number one tennis player was able to serve for the first set and then was heading to victory in the second set before losing both against the 26-year-old Austrian.
Nadal returned with more power in the third set and won it, but Thiem displayed his good physical condition and striking power in the fourth set when he ended the game as a triumphant four hours and ten minutes later.
That defeat ends Nadal’s attempt to equal Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slams titles in Australia.
Thiem will now face German Alexander Zverev in the second semifinal on Friday, after Zverev triumphed against Stan Wawrinka 1-6 6-3 6-4 6-2 in four sets earlier.
The first semifinal will be held at Rod Lavers Arena on Thursday and will be the 50th career meeting between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
