You are here: HomeSportsSoccer2020 01 29Article 340051

Sports News of Wednesday, 29 January 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Nadal crashes out of Australian Open after defeat to Thiem

Thiem defeats Nadal to reach his first ever semifinals in the Australian Open Thiem defeats Nadal to reach his first ever semifinals in the Australian Open

World number one, Rafael Nadal has crashed out of the Australian Open Grand Slam tournament after losing to Austrian, Dominic Thiem.

Thiem advanced to his first ever Auatralian Open semifinals after edging the Spaniard, Nadal, in a battle that lasted four hours and twenty minutes.

Fifth seed Thiem won 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-6 (8-6) at Melbourne Park against top seed Nadal.

He will now face Germany's Alexander Zverev in Friday's last-four match.

It will be a first semifinals in Melbourne for both men and the winner will face either Serbia's defending champion Novak Djokovic or Swiss third seed Roger Federer in Sunday's final.

Speaking to the media after the match, Nadal said:

"I don’t give up one moment during the match. I gave myself an opportunity until the last moment, so I’m happy for that, because my level of concentration and tennis was better I think. My tennis was not bad at all – it was difficult to play against him. I’m happy … [I could have had] a little bit more determination in some moments, true."

In his post-match comments, Them said:

"I think all the match was on a very good level, I think we were both on great form. We already had this epic match in New York two years ago.

"Today I was really feeling I was lucky in the right situations. The net cord was really on my side. He’s one of the biggest legends this sport’s ever had so you need some luck to beat him. I’m full of adrenaline, full of happy moments."

[Guardian/BBC]