Nadal turns his Open focus to Thiem

IF Dominic Thiem is looking for any extra sliver of encouragement ahead of his forbidding Australian Open quarterfinal against Rafael Nadal, it’s worth noting that nothing is as tough as squaring off against the Spanish slugger at Roland Garros.

That has been the Austrian’s unfortunate fate four times in the past six years, including in the past two French Open deciders.

Thiem has won just one of 13 sets in those four matches – although, in fairness, hardly anyone else has fared better against the king of clay at his favourite tournament, where he boasts a win-loss record of 93-2 dating back to 2005.

The 2019 title match in Paris aside, Nadal has found the going much tougher at Melbourne Park – even in those years when he has arrived at the opening major of the year as world No.1, as is the case this time.

Fifth-seeded Thiem is in uncharted territory – through to the last eight at the Open for the first time in seven attempts, following a straight sets win over French showman

Gael Monfils. But at the age of 26 he realises the time to start challenging for trophies at all four of the slams is now. “I’m not the youngest anymore, so I really have to be careful with my career now,” he said. “I have to really take the right decisions, and I’m also a little bit experienced already.” If Nadal (pictured) goes on to win a second Open title on Sunday, he will draw level with Roger Federer on 20 majors and become a short-priced favourite to take outright ownership of the record with a 13th French Open crown in June.

But after ending the challenge of Nick Kyrgios in the round of 16 on Monday night, the 33-year-old is looking no further ahead than Thiem.

“I expect a very tough match,” Nadal said. “He’s playing well. I saw him play against Gael and he was playing a very high level of tennis.

“We know each other well. He’s a player that I like a lot, the way that he works, the way that he plays and the way that he tries his best always … it will be interesting.”