On Friday, nine-time champion Rafael Nadal will face sixth seed Dominic Thiem for a place in the Roland Garros final.
Thiem is the only player to defeat Rafa on clay this season and sealed a return to the last four in Paris with a sensational 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-0 upset of defending champion Novak Djokovic.
Neither Rafa nor Thiem have dropped a set in reaching the last four, with our champ losing just 22 games through five matches.
Date: June 9, 2017
Match time: [UPDATED] Rafa is second on court Philippe Chatrier. Not before 3:30 PM local time / 9:30 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / 2:30 PM BST – United Kingdom / 3:30 PM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 11:30 PM AEDT – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa on playing Thiem:
Thiem is a tough player. I won in Barcelona, Madrid, and I lost to him in Rome. So either you play well and you advance to the next round or you lose and you’re out.
In Rome it was not a good day for me. I was not in a position to play well the way I wanted to. He put me in a difficult situation, so it’s up to me to avoid being put in uncomfortable situations.
He’s a very good player. He hits the ball very hard. He’s very powerful on both sides. Forehand, backhand, serve. These weapons are quite good. He has a huge potential to tap, and he can hit the ball very hard. He doesn’t give you a lot of options.
Thiem on playing Rafa:
I think on Friday is coming the toughest opponent ever here in Roland Garros. Gonna be the fourth match against him in, like, five or six weeks. Not really big secrets. Well, he’s again in his best shape. So it’s going be the toughest match that you can imagine.
Since the beginning of 2016, they’ve faced off five times (all on clay), with Rafa winning three and Thiem two. It was the Austrian who emerged victorious in their last meeting, however, winning 6-4 6-3 in Rome three weeks ago.
| YEAR | EVENT | SURFACE | RND | WINNER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome Italy |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Dominic Thiem |
64 63 |
| 2017 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid Spain |
Outdoor Clay | F | Rafael Nadal |
768 64 |
| 2017 | Barcelona Spain |
Outdoor Clay | F | Rafael Nadal |
64 61 |
| 2016 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo Monaco |
Outdoor Clay | R16 | Rafael Nadal |
75 63 |
| 2016 | Buenos Aires Argentina |
Outdoor Clay | SF | Dominic Thiem |
64 46 764 |
| 2014 | Roland Garros France |
Outdoor Clay | R64 | Rafael Nadal |
62 62 63 |
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Sources: Roland Garros, AFP
LOVE YOU RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE THE STRONGER, BETTER PLAYER SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) BEAUTIFUL HOLD 5:2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP SMILING DEAR RAFA A POINT AT A TIME……..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GO RAFA GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : )
Keep it up Fan Love… Rafa can feel all the love and hope that we all have for him,
GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 : ) T is wearing “blend in” green & white colors as background court deco……sneaky…..: ( but all is well SWEETHEART RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 😉 😉 Holding your great serve game VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 : )
YEH>>>>>JUST BROKE T…….VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) BEAUTIFUL SOLID HOLD LEADING 4:1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
Hi Susie. I’m so sorry to hear about poor Raffy :(. My <3 sank for him but I'm optimistic he will recover well and clelebrate many Rafa's victories to come with you. 🍀🤞🏻😽
Ahh thanks Rainer. It was pretty scary when it happened but he was lucky and defo on the mend. Dominic is hitting the ball so hard I fear a wrist injury. Lol. But rafa is holding his own although i haven’t relaxed since they started
Thiem is the hardest hitter on the tour right now, even harder than Stan, Susie. He’s still so young and trains extremely hard with great work ethics. It’s great to have someone as good as him on clay to be Rafa’s “heir”. (Everyone is calling him “The Prince” now LOL.) Just don’t want him to ever beat Rafa at RG or MC though. 🙂
Oh Rainer I really like Dominic as he is so pleasant and a gentleman just like rafa. I support him in his matches against any other player bar rafa. But he must never beat rafa again – anywhere lol.
I told of you wawrinka will be in the final. Stan is always good in grandslams. If he faces nadal in the final its going to be difficult wawrinka has never lost a grandslam final. I hope he wont play on sunday against nadal like he played against djokovic in 2015 if that is the case there is nothing nadal can do about it. I am honest. That is why nadal needs to play a game against thiem and aa game against wawrinka plain and simple
What are you even saying, mjus? “If”? I’m not over the moon or something but Rafa has won 9, NINE **** FOs and 28 clay Masters against ATGs and all kinds of great CC players since 2005 FOR A REASON.
Even a dialed-in Staminal can’t beat a healthy, confident, in form Rafa anywhere, let alone on clay, at RG, in the final [!!].
The Stan vs Nole matchup is simply different than the Stan vs Rafa matchup. You’re oversimplifying way too much.
If it wasn’t for Stan’s perfect 3/3 slam finals record I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to say Rafa in 3. Assuming Staminal will show up as usual, I’d say Rafa in 4.
The only reason the match might go the decider is Rafa getting way way too nervy while Stan is actually even a bit more clutch on Rafa. But even so, I believe as the match goes on he will calm down and gets into his rhythm as usual, which is always devastating to anyone from the other side of the court as proven over the years.
I agree.
And…..Stan is on a ten-match winning streak. He just won the Geneva title and can go no further.🤔 Ten is his number and tomorrow ten will be Rafa’s, also. The difference is ten matches vs ten titles. 😊
RAFA ROCKS
Stan the Man it is then , whoever wins Rafa or Thiem they will have one hell of a fight on their hands. I like Stan but he needs to show that all the tournament’s throughout the year matter , as fans pay good money to see the players giving their best. Good luck Rafa , go out and get the job done .
Let’s put it this way..Stan has had a tougher time than Rafa has so maybe his muscles will tighten up a bit… I know that is not nice to say but I am pushing everything aside so that Rafa gets his La Decima! So far so good with Thiem!
Hold onto your hats everyone – it won’t be long now. I’m quite excited as well as a little apprehensive but I think that’s because we’ve had to wait for so long for this match today. I hope rafa feels a lot better than I do.
Not so fast Margo … Looks like Andy is going bye-bye! Do you think Rafa has a better chance against Stan? I’m a nervous damn wreck… It’s too early here in California for a little nip of wine plus I have to go to work which is actually better for my nervous system! I have sent all my best wishes love and prayers to Rafa!
You’re right “not so fast.” I really thought Andy was going to come back charging but looks as if Stan is on.
What I can say about Rafa v. Stan is that this gives Rafa a chance to play against a very tough finals’-slam opponent. Rafa has said, “To be the best, you have to play against the best.” “You have to be ready when things don’t go your way [find a solution.] And best of all, Rafa said, “I want it,” referring to FO title and succinctly posted here by Ranier some weeks ago. HE WANTS IT, NO IFS, ANDS OR BUTS. I hope his desire carries him to the championship. [Keep Stan from wearing his fashioniste shorts. LOL]
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa actually had a pretty good draw this time… But Eventually he has to play the top players to win… TC Has switched over to the Roger special with Mary Carrillo… I’ve seen most of it with the commercials throughout the French Open. I will refrain from making any negative comments because I do not want to get bumped off again! However the Rafa/Thiem match will not be on until 11am on NBC …just like va4 said! I don’t know how they can do that because it’s going to be half over with by the time it gets to be 11 o’clock.. I need to go to work soon. I’m watching it right now on the scoreboard pretty much even so far!
I was busy with Rafa so didn’t see your response. I thought you left for work.
When Rafa gets to a final and makes it look like a soft breeze EVERYONE is taking note.
I hope Stan leaves those shorts home tomorrow.
RAFA WILL BEAT THIEM
If Stan wins this, lets hope he has peaked and doesn’t play so well on Sunday should rafa be on the other side of the net!
WAWRINKA IS NOW PROBABLY MORE FAVOURITE
WHAT IS MORE WORRYING IS THE DELAY FOR THE RAFA MATCH
I WONDER IF RG ORGANIZERS WOULD PREFER ANOTHER PERSON THAN RAFA FOR THE TITLE?
WAMOS WAMOS WAMOS DEFEAT THEM ALL YOU ARE THE BEST
Yes puma – at least half an hour after this match concludes before rafa’s match starts due to two lots of tickets sold for the court. Stan is a double break up in the final set so unsure if andy can make a comeback now. More importantly I’m unsure if rafa will finish tonight!
Even though Stan v andy is a great match, I’m getting frustrated as if this goes to 5 sets and rafa comes on – unless it’s a straight sets win, he will have to come back tomorrow. Mentally if that happens, he does not have a full day off which is unfair.
OLA OLA OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : )
Have a great time & lots & lots of fun playing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) ; ) 🙂 Enjoy EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Very happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ); ) : ) We love you & love watching your BEAUTIFUL, EFFECTIVE TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 🙂 ENJOY YOUR BLESSED TALENT AND SOLD PLAY & ENJOY IT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 😉 ; ) 😉 😉 SENDING HUGS & LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESS SWEETHEART & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) :): ) : ) 😉 VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) It will be a fantastic match for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 🙂 ci…..ci……ci……ci…..ci…..& …..CI SENIOR SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) It is all fun and game and your passion and love for TENNIS IS EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) YOU HAVE MANY MANY MANY MORE TENNIS STRENGTH THAN ANY OTHER PLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Because you have an instinct for the ball…..and for the court……and your feisty fighting in 5 SETS is very very special!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) NO OTHER PLAYER HAS YOUR ENDURANCE & YOUR BLESSED PATIENCE ON THE COURT………..oh yeh sweetheart……KUDOS & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂
Keep smiling dear Rafa & know we are right there smiling and loving every point you play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 😉 : ) Have fun SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXO
Unfortunatelly Murray seems on the way out (it is obvious whom i prefer as a player, not only as rival to Rafa, fingers crossed in a RG final, but also as player).
A RG final Thiem/Wavrinka would be unwatchable to me and many other tennis/Rafa fans I know.
WAMOS RAFA REMEMBER YOU ARE THE BEST EVER AND NOT ONLY ON CLAY
NEXT IT IS WIMBLEDON THEN US OPEN TO FINISH WITH THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN, WHICH YOU HAVE ALL WON.
WAMOS WAMOS WAMOS RAFA PLS DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY THIEM;
Dominic Thiem your hour of reckoning draws close! You can withdraw now with some injury, there’s no shame in that 🙂
God I sure hope my words don’t get fed back to me in a bitter fashion. VAMOS Rafa!
Let’s hope not Mac ,but I have a good feeling about this one , it’s going to be close like the match with Andy and Stan that’s playing now . I will be keeping my fingers crossed for the right outcome from both.
Mac, looks like you might be hungry tonight Lol, and no injury needed ,Rafa played just great
Early days, but happy to see Andy has taken the first set. Rafa and Andy have very different personalities, but what they have in common is that they give 100% to every tournament they play not just the grand slams , whereas Stan , only seems to pull out his A game in the main 4.
Vamos, Vamos, Vamos tonight Rafa. Go get him my boy! You are the Crowned King of Clay. Good luck n God Bless Rafa. Your Aussie Abuela Nan Shirley. 🐂⏳👑🎈🎈😀😊😇.
Almost show time! Lets go Rafa…you can do this!
@Souix I was hoping for a Rafa-Stan final but now it looks as if Stan is going adios. That match would have been so much more exciting I think.
Rafa+Stan
The best of luck sweet Rafa ❤️🍀🤗
VAMOOOOSS CHAMP!! 🎾💪🏼😘
All the best….
Dear rafa….your sweet victory..
In thiem…..today..
Yes two semifinals with the main men , both matches are going to be very exciting , I’m hoping for a Andy / Rafa final , but I think it’s more likely to be a Stan/Rafa one , but as long as Rafas’s there on Sunday j don’t really care who is opponent is.
Im trying to work out who would be best for rafa in the final and I’m going for andy. So yes Maria lets hope they both get through.
I actually prefer Stan as the other finalist, Susie. It would be a sweet revenge for Rafa for his devastating AO14 loss. I know Stan has a perfect Slam final record and he will dial in his Staminal once he’s in the final. But to beat Rafa in the final here at RG, on Chatrier, in the favourable conditions for Rafa according to the weather forecast? I would even prefer Thiem’s chance than Stan’s.
Of course Rafa needs to get though Thiem first. Thiem has been improving in an alarming rate and very impressive on the metal department. But Rafa is Rafa. And his game is still better. The key is Rafa can hold his nerve well enough and not having the kind of blips like he had in his previous 5 matches, despite the perfect scorelines. Thiem will be inspired and throw the kitchen sink at Rafa again. But this time Rafa will be prepared. Can’t fool him twice. The only thing is his nerve. I’m only worried about that.
One encouraging fact though: Rafa is 23-3 in slam SF. 👍 And this is RG. Rafa should be even hungrier than Thiem. So hopefully the trend will still be on the right track for as long as possible.
Hi Rainer. I get all that you say but Stan on a good day is frightening whereas andy has been in a bit of a slump but has done well this tournament.
I’m just trying to figure out, if rafa does get to the final, who he would have a better chance against. Whatever happens get ready for a couple of good matches.
Lovely. I’m off work tomorrow and I’m going to settle in nicely for two really tasty semi finals. Can’t wait and the best of luck to rafa tomorrow. There will be some great tennis on display in those two matches I’m sure.
AROUND definition [in this context of match time]: approximately, roughly, more or less, something like.
RAFA ROCKS
Wamos Rafa you are the best and certainly not Thiem who cannot even be your shadow, much as he is talented. Remember that when you lost to him in Rome you were exhausted which you are not now. So for the moment ignore the hype around Thiem.
Today, 3 times RG champion Gustavo Kuerten said that you could win 15 RG titles (with which you would surpass Margaret Court who had 12 titles on one surface and after whom a court was named). Kuerten added that no one like you would ever come again.
WAMOS WAMOS WAMOS