ATP Australian Open: Dominic Thiem moves closer to stun Rafael Nadal

World no. 5 Dominic Thiem has two sets to love advantage over world no. 1 Rafael Nadal in the quarter-final of the Australian Open, taking both sets in the tie break after an epic battle. In set number two, Rafa wasted a break just like in the opening set, saving a set point in the 12th game but losing the tie break to find himself on the verge of defeat. They again had more winners than unforced errors, pushing each other to the limits and with the Austrian as the stronger player when it mattered the most, moving closer to the finish line and one of his biggest victories in a career. A forehand winner secured the opening game of the second set for Thiem, with Nadal delivering a comfortable hold at love to level the score at 1-1, eager to stay on the level terms with an inspired opponent. From 30-0 down, the Austrian claimed four points on serve in the third game to stay ahead, drawing errors from Nadal who couldn't create break chances.

Four quick points led Rafa towards another hold at love, looking to leave that opening set behind and create some damage on the return as soon as possible. The fifth game offered three break opportunities for him following a forehand winner, covering the court nicely and forcing awkward hitting from Thiem who fired a double fault to lose serve at love and push Nadal in front. Unlike in the opening set, Rafa confirmed the break with a forehand winner, opening a 4-2 advantage and hoping for more of the same in the rest of the set. Out of sudden, Thiem broke back at love in the eighth game after a costly double fault from Nadal who lost the ground completely, losing the next game at love after a backhand error and serving to stay in the set in game ten. The Spaniard held with an ace to prolong the set and Dominic brought another game home to extend the lead to a 6-5.

The Spaniard fended off a set point with a forehand down the line winner, closing the game with a backhand crosscourt direct point and setting up a tie break where the pressure was on his shoulders. From 4-0 down, Nadal climbed back to 4-4 before playing a weak drop shot in the tenth point that Thiem caught and turned into a forehand winner and a 6-4 advantage. A lucky net cord helped Dominic to fire a forehand winner in the 11th point and move two sets to love up, taking another big step towards the first victory over Rafa at Majors.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2U9p8Ij