Dominic Thiem made a statement on Friday as he beat Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-3 in the quarter-final of the Rome Masters.
Thiem, whom Nadal defeated last Sunday to win a fifth Madrid title had supposedly learned his lesson, as he became the first man to beat Nadal on clay in 2017.
Nadal’s record on clay now reads 17-1 and Thiem becomes the first Austrian to reach the semi-final of the Rome Masters since 1996 after compatriot, Thomas Muster, who then went on to beat Richard Krajicek.
With his booming forehands, Thiem raced to a 5-1 lead in the first set and even though Nadal fought back to 5-4, the 23-year-old held on to win 6-4.
The second set went with serve until the seventh game when Thiem broke and raced to the end 6-3.
Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility
Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.
Donate
DOWNLOAD THE PREMIUM TIMES MOBILE APP
Now available on
TEXT AD: To place a text-based advert here. Call Willie - +2347088095401
All rights reserved. This material and any other material on this platform may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written or distributed in full or in part, without written permission from PREMIUM TIMES.
