Thiem can’t afford to have feet of clay again

New York – Dominic Thiem (right) admitted he’s “not sure” if he can defeat defending champion Rafael Nadal at the US Open and reach the semifinals.

The Austrian faces the world No 1 today, just three months after he was routed by the Spaniard in the final at Roland Garros.

That loss was one of seven he has endured at the hands of Nadal during his career.

He does have the comfort of knowing he has been successful on three occasions.

However, like Nadal’s wins against him, the Austrian’s three successes have all come on clay, easily his preferred surface.

“I have had three nice experiences and seven horrible experiences,” said Thiem, who has made the last-eight at a Slam other than Roland Garros for the first time.

“But I’m really looking forward to playing him on a hard court for the first time.

“On clay, I think it’s one of the biggest challenges to beat this guy or to compete with this guy.

“I hope it’s a little bit more comfortable on hard court, but I’m not sure.”

Thiem at least knows that even if all three of his wins against Nadal have been on clay, they were still key moments.

His victory against the world No 1 in the Madrid semifinals ended Nadal’s 50-set clay streak which began after the Austrian had beaten him in Rome 12 months earlier.

Thiem also remains the only member of the top 10 that Nadal has never tackled on a hard court.

“Nobody’s game really matches up well with his,” added Thiem who made his first US Open quarterfinal with an impressive 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) win over last year’s runner-up Kevin Anderson, the fifth-seeded South African.

“That’s why Rafa is so unbeliev- ably successful. No matter what, it’s always tough to play him.”

Thiem didn’t face a single break point against Wimbledon finalist Anderson as he became the first Austrian in the last-eight in New York since Thomas Muster in 1996.

Nadal, the 2010, 2013 and 2017 champion and chasing an 18th Slam, believes the change from clay to hard court will not alter the dynamic when he plays his eighth quarterfinal here.

“Dominic is a fantastic player. He’s a very powerful player. He deserves to be where he is,” said the Spaniard. –