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Australian Open: Thiem has an open account with Nadal

Four times in a row, Thiem reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros at the world’s largest clay court tournament. But at least since the quarter-finals 16 months ago in New York, you know that Thiem can also be expected on faster rubbers.

Last March, Thiem won his first Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells, not as expected by many on sand, but on hard court.

5: 0 record for Nadal in major duels

Against Nadal it is the sixth duel in a major tournament, Thiem has lost all five so far. Because the superstar from Mallorca is perhaps even more difficult to beat at Grand Slam events than on the normal ATP tour.

APA / AFP / Don Emmert

Thiem hadn’t missed much to win in New York

But the 4: 49-hour fight in New York is not only fondly remembered by Thiem fans, it was by far the narrowest defeat by the Lower Austrian against Nadal at the Grand Slam level. Should Thiem overcome the hurdle, he would have reached his fifth semifinals at major level and would also surpass Thomas Muster (four) in this regard. With two final games so far (French Open 2018 and 2019), 16-time tournament winner Thiem has already overtaken the 44-time title holder Muster (Frech Open victory 1995).

Thiem’s ​​health is back on top

The most important thing for Thiem on Wednesday is that he can go physically fit again in the exhausting duel. Last week a cold had robbed him of strength. “It is much better. It’s actually gone now. I had problems the day before the first round, luckily I didn’t have a fever. However, there was a certain drop in energy, ”said Thiem in an interview with the TV station Eurosport.

Graphic for Thiem - Nadal

Graphic: APA / ORF.at; Source: APA; Photos: AFP

The cooling has disappeared since Tuesday. “Of course it’s nice when I feel full of energy again. I’m glad that I struggled through the first rounds and gave myself the chance to be in top shape in the crucial phase of the tournament. ”

Ranged battle for number one

For Nadal, it’s not just about maintaining the chance of his 20th Grand Slam title. If he defeats Thiem, he will surely remain number one. If he loses, Novak Djokovic can overtake him if he wins the tournament in Melbourne.

Thiem in turn could beat a current number one in the world for the fourth time in the twelfth attempt. His previous victories came to him in 2017 in the Barcelona semi-final against Andy Murray, in 2018 in the Madrid quarter-final against Nadal and in 2019 in the French Open semi-final against Djokovic.

Nadal “a little bit better every day”

And what does Nadal say about meeting Thiem himself? “A very tough match. I saw him against Gael (Monfils, note), he played at a very high level, ”said the Spaniard. “He is a player I really like, the way he works, the way he plays and he always does his best. It will be interesting, I have to do my best so that I have a chance. ”But he sees himself on the right track. “I play a little bit better every day.”

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