Nadal overcomes Thiem in US Open epic

Defending champion Rafael Nadal came through the most gruelling of tests as he beat Dominic Thiem in five sets to reach the US Open semifinals.

The world No.1 failed to win a game in the opening set, and Thiem served for a two-sets-to-one lead, but Nadal would not be denied.

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After four hours and 48 minutes, the Spaniard prevailed 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7(4) 7-6(5) to reach the last four at the US Open for the seventh time.

Sportsmanship of the highest caliber…

Hats off to @RafaelNadal and @ThiemDomi for an enormous effort tonight…#USOpen pic.twitter.com/NkWBSgV1Zm

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2018

There he will play Juan Martin del Potro, the Argentine third seed who beat American John Isner 6-7(5) 6-3 7-6(4) 6-2.

Nadal and Del Potro also met in last year’s US Open semifinals, plus this year’s semifinals at Roland Garros and quarterfinals at Wimbledon – all encounters won by Nadal.

“(Suffering) is the right word. A great battle. The condition were tough. A lot of humid. For me it was a very tough start, then I tried to stay in the match in some way in that second set. And I did,” Nadal said.

“Being honest, I am very sorry for Dominic. He’s a close friend on tour, he’s a great guy, great player and I just wish him all the very best.

“He’s young, he has plenty of time to win big tournaments and he has everything. He’s a fighter, he has a great attitude, that’s the most important thing. I’m sure he will have his chances in the future without a doubt.

“I am playing a lot of hours this year on this beautiful stadium – that’s not bothering me, just bothers my legs (laughter). Just very, very happy.”

RAFA PREVAILS!

In 4 hours and 49 minutes, @RafaelNadal defeats Thiem 0-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7, 7-6 at 2:04am!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/eHYr2rZy3Y

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2018

Nadal was extended on court for almost four-and-a-half hours against Karen Khachanov in round three, then to four sets by Nikoloz Basilashvili in the last 16.

This, however, was the most bruising encounter of all, reminiscent of his five-set semifinal win over Fernando Verdasco at Australian Open 2009.

For the small but vocal group of fans that stayed on to see the match to its conclusion after 2am local time, they were treated to some of the highest quality tennis of the tournament, a demonstration of both players’ tactical prowess, physical strength and endurance.

It was only the fourth time in 282 career Grand Slam matches that Nadal lost a set by a 6-0 score. It’s the first time he won the match after that kind of start.

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“(I told myself) wake up,” he smiled. “The only thing that I was thinking was finish this first set and just try to forget about this start and just try to stay in the match.”

Nadal also trailed by a break in the third set before taking it against the Austrian. He came within two points of victory late in the fourth set before being pushed to a fifth, where he was two points from a loss – as well as letting slip a 0-40 lead in the 11th game that would have given him the opportunity to serve for the match at 6-5.

But the Spaniard held on to win a thrilling tiebreak.

Thiem, with a smile, on Rafa saying sorry to him on court: "I don't think he's really sorry."

— Eleanor Crooks (@EleanorcrooksPA) September 5, 2018

He is into the semifinals at a third consecutive major tournament as he bids for a fourth US Open title and 18th Grand Slam trophy.

“That 0-40 in the 5-5 break my heart (laughter). But I just keep going,” he said.

“Always the passion to keep going. To play one more point, to save one more ball, and is always the same – point by point, game by game, set by set and match by match. Keep going always.

“That’s the only way that I am able to be where I am today.”