A BAGEL? NADAL DEVOURS IT TO REACH US OPEN SEMIS

DEFENDING champion Rafael Nadal failed to win a single game in the opening set of his US Open quarter-final against Dominic Thiem but fought back to beat the Austrian 0-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-5) in a match that ended after 2am in New York.

Nadal won 40% of his first serves in the opener as he struggled with the high humidity on Arthur Ashe Stadium court, with Thiem becoming the first player to “bagel” the Spaniard at Flushing Meadows since Andy Roddick 14 years ago.

“It’s been a great battle,” an exhausted Nadal said. “The conditions were tough, very humid for me.”

Thiem, who lost to Nadal in the French Open final but had beaten the Spaniard three times in 10 previous meetings, struck 74 winners, including 24 with his stylish single-handed backhand, to keep the champion under constant pressure. “I’m very sorry for Dominic,” Nadal added. “He’s a close friend on Tour, a great guy and I wish him the very best ... he is young and has plenty of time to win tournaments.”

After Nadal roared back to take a 2-1 lead, the fourth set went to a tie-break. Thiem raced to a 3-0 lead before Nadal fought back but the Austrian held his nerve to level the match.

There were no breaks of serve in the deciding set and a second tie-break ensued.

The two were neck-in-neck at 5-5 when Nadal carved out a match point with his forehand.

Thiem’s wayward overhead smash handed the match to Nadal, who stood midcourt with his head thrown back and arms raised in the air in celebration.

“It’s going to be stuck in my mind forever,” Thiem said.

“I’m going to remember this match, for sure.” — Reuters