Austria's Dominic Thiem stunned 11-time Barcelona Open champion Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-4 to reach the ATP 500 final. The 2017 finalist (l. to Nadal) in Barcelona will face Russian Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev beat No. 7 Kei Nishikori 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 to make his first clay-court final.
Thiem has beaten Nadal on clay for the fourth time in as many years. This is also the first time Nadal has lost in the semi-finals or finals of his home tournament. The Spaniard was 22-0 in matches and 46-1 in sets when contesting Barcelona semi-finals and finals.
But Thiem, who was the only player to beat Nadal on clay in 2017 and 2018, played fearlessly once more against the top seed, pinning the Spaniard behind the baseline and pounding inside-out forehands. He joined Novak Djokovic as the only players to have beaten Nadal on clay four times.
Thiem broke Nadal's serve at 2-2, when the Spaniard double faulted twice, including at 30/40. The Austrian had four more break points as Nadal served at 2-4, but the Spaniard saved them all during a 14-minute game. But as the Spanish fans smelled a comeback, Thiem avoided any slump and held to take the opener.
The Austrian was in attack mode all match, delivering deep, heavy balls to Nadal, who struggled to take control in baseline rallies. And at the net, Thiem was happy to put the point away, winning nine of 12 net points.
In the second set, Thiem broke Nadal one more time and came out of a difficult situation at 4-3, 15/30. Then, while serving for the set at 5-4, he was 0/40 down but saved all three, including the third with an ace.
And then a drop shot on match point meant that Nadal had lost in Barcelona after 18 consecutive wins. His last loss came during the 2015 third round against Fabio Fognini.
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