Thiem Floors Nadal, Zverev Knocks Out Wawrinka As Youngsters Gun Into Semis
Muhammad Rameez Published January 29, 2020 | 07:09 PM
Dominic Thiem shocked top seed Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev ousted former champion Stan Wawrinka as tennis's young pretenders stole a march on the old guard to reach the Australian Open semi-finals on Wednesday
Melbourne, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Jan, 2020 ) :Dominic Thiem shocked top seed Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev ousted former champion Stan Wawrinka as tennis's young pretenders stole a march on the old guard to reach the Australian Open semi-finals on Wednesday.
Austria's Thiem, 26, beat Nadal 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (8/6) -- his first win in six attempts at Grand Slams, including two French Open finals -- to end the 33-year-old's bid to equal Roger Federer's record 20 Major titles.
Earlier Zverev, 22, beat 2014 champion Wawrinka, 34, to go into a semi-final with Thiem, meaning that one of them will reach Sunday's final against Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic, who have won 12 of the last 14 Australian Open titles.
Thiem had Nadal's measure in the first two sets and he recovered from dropping the third to win the fourth-set tie-breaker, getting off the floor after falling to win one point and enjoying some luck from the net cord to set up the third and decisive match point.
"I was lucky in the right situation -- the net cord was really on my side," Thiem said. "But it's necessary because he is one of the greatest of all time. You need some luck to beat him." Several young players have been knocking on the door of the Big Three of Nadal, Federer and Djokovic, and either Thiem or Zverev will get a chance to kick it open in Sunday's final.
- 'Almost too focused' - Germany's Zverev rallied from a set down to halt three-time Major-winner Wawrinka 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 and reach his first Grand Slam semi-final.
Big things have been tipped for Zverev since he burst into the top 10 in 2017, but he said that until now he has been pushing himself too hard at the Majors.
"I was doing things in a way too professional way. I was not talking to anybody. I wasn't going out with friends. I wasn't having dinner. I was just really almost too focused." "I changed that a little bit this week... maybe this is how it should happen," he added.
Wimbledon champion Simona Halep has also benefited from a more relaxed approach as she swept aside Anett Kontaveit 6-1, 6-1 to reach the semi-finals without dropping a set.
The Romanian fourth seed, who is spending time away from tennis between matches, said she was finally feeling comfortable on the biggest stage.
"I just feel more confident and I feel like I'm able to do it," said Halep, who is going after her third Major title. "It's just a feeling that you don't see this trophy as impossible anymore." Halep's semi-final is against fellow two-time Slam-winner Garbine Muguruza, who continued her impressive return to form by beating Russian 30th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 6-3.
"I'm excited to play my first semi-final here," said the unseeded former world number one, who won the 2016 French Open and 2017 Wimbledon.
"I've known her (Halep) for quite a long time so it's going to be a tough match," she added.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PTI to stage nationwide protests against alleged electoral frauds
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
More Stories From Sports
-
Father, son killed in firing
43 minutes ago -
Victor Boniface: Leverkusen boss Alonso makes you 'up your game'
4 hours ago -
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable victory over UAE
8 hours ago -
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
14 hours ago -
National Hockey camp to be organized for Azlan Shah tournament
15 hours ago -
Islamabad Tennis Club demolished by CDA amid anti-encroachment action at public park: Tarar
17 hours ago
-
Shayan, Rashid, Junaid to represent Pakistan in U12 Regional Qualifying Jrs
18 hours ago -
Olympic Games Paris 2024: How teams qualified
18 hours ago -
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy unveiled in Islamabad
17 hours ago -
Pakistan to tour New Zealand for 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is next March
18 hours ago -
Xavi and Barca remain tied in marriage of convenience
17 hours ago -
Pakistan Master Tenpin Bowling C'ship postponed
17 hours ago