Speed Post News Network
Patna : World No 5 and 3rd seed Dominic Thiem, 25, Austria, stunned 11 time champion and top seed Rafael Nadal, 32, Spain, in the semi-finals to reach the final of ATP Barcelona Open at Barcelona, Spain, on April 27, 2019, dashing his bid for a 12th title here. Thiem beat Nadal in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 in 2hr 04 minutes in the semi-finals at Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, Spain. Nadal had also lost in the semi-finals of Monte- Carlo Masters 1,000, Monaco, last week. This was Thiem’s 4th victory over Nadal in 12 meeting.
Thiem broke Nadal’s service twice in the match besides winning 3 games in a row. World No 2 and winner of 17 Grand Slam singles titles Nadal though won 47 service points to 42 by Thiem. Thiem’s winning percentage on both his first and second serve (76 % & 69%) was much higher than that of Nadal (65% & 53 %). Nadal has lost his two clay court titles in two weeks making several unforced errors. He has hardly looked menacing on clay court this year.
Thiem will face World No 14 and 7th seed Daniil Medvedev, 23, Russia, in the final. Medvedev beat World No 7 Kei Nishikori, 29, Japan, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in 2hr 24 minutes in the first semi-finals. Medvedev had also reached the final of Monte-Carlo Masters last week. Medvedev fired 8 Aces in the match to just 1 by Nishikori. Medvedev won 3 break points to 2 by Nishikori.