2020 Australian Open QF: Rafael Nadal vs. Dominic Thiem

[britbox]

Can’t watch it unfortunately, but I imagine the Spanish Bull will mount a comeback and take it to a fifth set.

I wouldn't be so sure of that mate. Thiem's one game away if he holds here.

 

[kskate2]

@shawnbm It's about time. They still need to crossover and beat one in a slam final

 

[shawnbm]

I wouldn't be so sure of that mate. Thiem's one game away if he holds here.

sadly Ican’t keep up but saw that he broke Nadal so I could be wrong

 

[britbox]

Good (second challenge) - that was a peach of a forehand.

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Thiem just battling out here. Opening the shoulders a bit. And Nadal just not able to deal with the power. Which. He's always had the power. I'm not sure if... I don't really remember. Does anyone feel like Thiem hits bigger than he used to. I'm not sure I do. I think he might actually used to have hit it bigger. I think he still hits that big often. But he's just learned to pull it back and go for the well timed one over the years. And now he plays the whole game a bit better and has gotten so fit and now that solid 5 years near the top of the game of experience has finally really started to coalesce for Thiem. We saw it against Fed in IW last year. AND STILL, Rafa is right there. Lost two tough tiebreaks. Has a set. Will fight to get the break back until the last ball. Thiem is by no means destroying him. But one of the few times you might see Rafa not dominate the big points. Well, one of the few times where the opponent's name isn't Djokovic or Federer.

Thiem may have just answered the question for me. That shot to hold for 5-3 was massive. Goodness.


EDIT: I wrote the first paragraph. Watched another game. Then wrote the last line and posted it. So there may be some disconnect.

 

[AnonymousFan]

Thiem serving for the match

 

[shawnbm]

Wow—Dominic really coming into his own on the big stage today, apparently.

 

[kskate2]

Domi is hitting as big as he ever has. The difference is he's more consistent now. And someone else mentioned, he's a great point constructor. Not just ball bashing but actually hitting w/ purpose and authority. It's beautiful when it all comes together

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Well. Nadal makes him serve it out. He'll do everything he can to take it. Thiem will have to battle for it. He NEEDS first serves. Can't let that let him down again, like the end of the third. But if he plays like he has in this set so far, he should come out on top. Though, still no guarantee. Nadal could find another adjustment.

BUT. New balls.

 

[AnonymousFan]

DF, 15-30

Dumped FH into net, two BPs

 

[Federberg]

he's not going to choke this game away is he?

 

[kskate2]

Wow. A little choke right here

 

[britbox]

he's not going to choke this game away is he?

Looks like it.

 

[kskate2]

on serve again 5-5

 

[AnonymousFan]

Another FH wide, back on serve

 

[britbox]

Dominic

 

[kskate2]

he needs to refocus. could still get out of this match in 4 sets even if it goes to a TB

 

[Federberg]

 

[britbox]

sadly Ican’t keep up but saw that he broke Nadal so I could be wrong

You may turn out to be the wise one here.

 

[kskate2]

It's hard to tell w/ that frosted hair, but he doesn't look blue to me. But the other symptoms appear prevalent