Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem will be squaring off for the ninth time in their careers when they clash in the Madrid Open quarterfinals on Friday. The Austrian battled back from a set and a break down to beat Croatian Borna Coric 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.
Date: May 11, 2018
Match time: Rafa is third match on Manolo Santana Court. Not before 5 PM local time / 11 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / 4 PM BST – United Kingdom / 5 PM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 1 AM AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa on playing Thiem:
Very tough match. Especially here on this surface and even more in altitude. His bounces and topspin are very high and difficult to control.
I need to be ready for tomorrow. It will be a very tough match to play but it’s a good opportunity to play against one of the best players of the world.
Rafa and Thiem met in last year’s Madrid final, which Rafa won, and tour champ leads their Head2Head series 6-2.
| Year | Event | Surface | RND | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo Monaco |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2017 | Roland Garros France |
Outdoor Clay | SF | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2017 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome Italy |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Dominic Thiem | |
| 2017 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid Spain |
Outdoor Clay | F | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2017 | Barcelona Spain |
Outdoor Clay | F | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2016 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo Monaco |
Outdoor Clay | R16 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2016 | Buenos Aires Argentina |
Outdoor Clay | SF | Dominic Thiem | |
| 2014 | Roland Garros France |
Outdoor Clay | R64 | Rafael Nadal |
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Source: ATP World Tour
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) It is ok sweetheart…….no big deal…..there will be plenty of other opportunities!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Have a great rest of the day & enjoy everything!!!!…..: ) We love you dear Rafa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) ; ) : ) ; ) : ) ; ) ; ) ; ) : ) Sending love & happiness & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
An off day. All right, we can all have those! I’m disappointed though, and Roger’s back at No. 1.
Congrats to thiem . He really played well but we all know nadal was no where near his best. Rafa looked tired and it felt even yesterday against Diego. To be honest this loss actually gave him the much needed rest his body needs otherwise he ‘ ll keep playing every tournament which will make it difficult for him to remain fit for RG.
Vamos for next tourney
Im absolutely gutted for rafa. If he wins rome then he’ll be back at no1. Hopefully he’ll get his mojo back. Dominic beat rafa in the quarter finals in rome last year and rafa then went on and still won the FO. So all is not lost. Rafa had an off day and thats all i hope it was.
Chill Susie, Nadal will win the The BIG ONE
I hope so Navdeep. I really hope so. Dominic did well and i do like him but not when he plays rafa especially like that.
Keep that gorgeous chin up Rafa, you have achieved some great result since coming back from injury , it’s just one match no big deal , Rafa fans will let him have this one . Congratulations again on your 50 set run.
Good luck in Rome , and come back fighting as always x
Yes Maria – at least rafa made history yesterday. Got to watch kyle and dennis though so madrid is not over for me as i love tennis and that should be a good match
Hi Susie , yes Madrid has lost its sparkle now for sure, shall watch Kyle now hope it’s a good match but Dennis is playing great tennis so I can’t see our player winning but who knows.
Let’s face it. Rafa was just out played by Thiem. The better player won on the day and it’s as simple as that! On to Rome Rafa, where maybe you can regain your no.1 spot. Good luck.
Whenever Rafa breaks back he seems unable to consolodate the break. That shows nerves and uncertainty . It also gives Thiem extra confidence. Perhaps Rafa did not expect Thiem to play so well although he did say this would be a tough match. Too tough, I fear.
Can he still turn it around.? He has got himself out of tight spots before.
Rafa is hitting his balls too short!
Unlike their last meeting,Thiem is making very few unforced errors. His high loopy moon balls are working.. Rafa needs to employ a plan B. and fast. I hope he has one!
Well this loss may be a blessing in disguise for Rafa. It forces him to go back to the drawing board and this way hubris is prevented.
I’m feeling rafas pain. This is not nice viewing
And breathe…..
Unlike their last meeting,Thiem is making very few unforced errors. Rafa needs to revdrt to plan B. I hope he has one!
Carlos has said that Rafa has seemed nervous right from the beginning of the match.
Here’s hoping he gets over this before it’s too late.
We must remember Rafa is only human and sometimes we expect him to be invincible at all times.
Keeping my fingers crossed nevertheless.!!
Rafas’s giving me heart palpitations and not for the right reasons , hope he can still pull this set back
That love service game may help him Maria and give him that mental confidence that he needs
I’m keeping my fingers crossed Susie but it’s not looking good , but like Beverly said Rafa is only human , and today not his day
Come on, Rafa – engage overdrive, and put him away!
Rafa’s being totally dominated by Thiem. Hope that ends here.
Hmm… I’m not enjoying this….