1 Response to ao20thiem_nadal

1. Voo de Mar says:

   February 4, 2021 at 8:42 am

   Points won by each set: | 42-38, 38-36, 22-28, 46-41 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   24 % Thiem – 34 of 140
   30 % Nadal – 46 of 151

   The tightest four-set loss in Nadal’s career. The Spaniard [1] was 1-3-2 points away from winning the sets he lost in the tie-breaks (3/7, 4/7, 6/8). In the opener he led *5:3 (40/30) when his first serve was repeated twice due to net-cords, Thiem saved the set point with a drive-FH-volley (that shot was working form him tremendously well throughout the contest). In the 2nd set Nadal led 4:2*, in the tie-break he improved from 0:4 to 4-all. In the 4th set he already trailed *2:4 (0/30), but broke back in the 10th game when Thiem [5] was tense serving for the match and played poorly. The last tie-break was the most exiting, first Nadal thought for a moment that he led 3:1, but the point was repeated and he lost it for 2-all… the Austrian built a 5:2* advantage despite falling on the ground during a rally. Nadal quickly saved a double match point, and at 6-all Thiem played his best shot of the match, passing Nadal with a cross-court backhand from defensive position. The third MP was converted when Nadal’s forehand landed in the net. The 4-hour 10-minute victory it was a great revenge for the quarterfinal of US Open 2018 when Nadal beat Thiem in the 5th set tie-break after 4 hours 49 minutes.

   Serve & volley: Thiem 8/8, Nadal 4/8
   

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