Sport

WATCH | Thiem stuns Nadal to reach Australian Open semi-finals

29 January 2020 - 15:07 By Reuters
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Dominic Thiem of Austria celebrates winning match point during his Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match against Rafael Nadal of Spain on day ten of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia.
Dominic Thiem of Austria celebrates winning match point during his Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match against Rafael Nadal of Spain on day ten of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia.
Image: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Dominic Thiem ended six years of Grand Slam frustration against Rafa Nadal on Wednesday with a seismic 7-6(3) 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(6) upset that booked his maiden Australian Open semi-final and rocked the old guard of men’s tennis.

After a win that quashed doubts about the Austrian’s prowess on hardcourts, the 26-year-old will face Alex Zverev for a place in the final, a match-up scarcely imaginable at the start of the tournament.

Fifth seed Thiem will head into Friday’s clash against the young German brimming with confidence, having ended Nadal’s bid for a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title.

Turning the tables on the man who beat him in two French Open finals and three other Grand Slam duels, Thiem became only the second Austrian to reach the last four at Melbourne Park, following Thomas Muster’s runs in 1989 and 1997.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Related articles

  1. WATCH | Rafa Nadal stopped by guard who had no clue who he was at Australian ... Sport
  2. Zverev seals semifinal spot, bumps out Nadal at ATP Finals Sport
  3. Djokovic’s hopes crushed as Federer serves up a masterclass Sport

Most read

  1. ‘We have lost a brother’: Sundowns captain Zwane pays tribute to Peter Mashata Soccer
  2. ‘I don’t feel appreciated’: Sundowns coach Mokwena says people don’t value his ... Soccer
  3. Sundowns coach Mokwena picks Ronwen Williams as his footballer of the season Soccer
  4. Relentless Sundowns two wins away from seventh successive PSL title Soccer
  5. Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham eyeing triple trophy success in 2024 Soccer

Latest Videos

Mikel Arteta salutes ‘unbelievable’ Kai Havertz after another impressive display
2 Malaysian military helicopters collide and crash while training, killing all ...