Nadal, Thiem push the limits in titanic quarterfinal

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Nadal, Thiem push the limits in titanic quarterfinal

ByNiko Vercelletto

Published Sep 05, 2018

Every year, there is one match that pushes the physicality of the players, and the emotions of the fans, to the max. In 2018, that match was Rafael Nadal versus Dominic Thiem in the quarterfinals of the US Open, lasting 4 hours and 49 minutes.

After getting bageled in the first set, the Spaniard came back to inch past Thiem, 0-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), playing the longest US Open match of his career. By the end, the two titans had nothing but respect and love for each other.

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The reactions to the unforgettable match came pouring in, praising both Nadal and Thiem for their tenacity and insane skill across nearly five hours.

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Before the quarterfinals, Nadal was 2-1 in matches over Thiem this year, with the Austrian winning in Madrid in straight sets. Nadal had the overall edge 7-3, but all 10 of their meetings had come on clay.

With Tuesday—or really Wednesday mornings—victory, the world No. 1 heads to his 29th Grand Slam semifinal, moving to No. 4 on the most all-time Major semifinals list, just ahead of Ivan Lendl.

Thankfully, Nadal has two days to recover before facing Juan Martin del Potro in the semifinals.