Roger Federer’s 20 grand slam record will be held after the Australian Open. Rafael Nadal (No. 1) was, in fact, beaten by Dominic Thiem (No. 5) in the quarterfinals.
With a victory of the Bâlois record before the three strokes of the tournament, the world No. 1 lost 7-6 (7/3) 7-6 (7/4) 4-6 7-6 (8/6) after a furious battle, almost animal, of 4:10 ′. The Austrian, who finally defeats Rafael Nadal in a Grand Slam tournament on his sixth attempt, will face Alexander Zverev on Friday evening for a place in the final against the winner of the clash between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Dominic Thiem concluded on his third match point in a fourth set that he should have won much faster. The Austrian served to win the match at 5-4 before being seized by the fear of winning. He had to lead 15-0 in this tenth game before committing three errors in a stroke and a double fault … Fortunately for him, he was able to find a semblance of calm in the decisive game. After having overused two match balls at 6/4, he was fortunate to benefit from a let at 6/6 before finally winning on a last direct fault of Rafael Nadal.
Irascible as ever to the point of seeking a confrontation with the chair umpire Aurélie Tourte and the referee Andreas Egli, Rafael Nadal probably did not deserve another fate despite his formidable rage to win. He let the first two sets slip after having, however, in the two heats, signed the station wagon first. But faced with the pace imposed by his opponent, he was never really to his advantage in this game.
The defeat could cost him his No. 1 ranking next Monday. Rafael Nadal will lose it, in fact, if Novak Djokovic retains his title.
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