Rafael Nadal overcame a fierce challenge from Dominic Thiem in the US Open quarterfinal. Nadal defeated the Austrian 0-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/5) to reach his seventh semifinal at the Flushing Meadows.
In the epic quarterfinal match that lasted four hours 49 minutes, Nadal powered through to the semifinal in hopes of winning a fourth US Open title. Earlier in June, Thiem and Nadal had faced each other in the French Open final, which the Spaniard had won.
Nadal, who was down with a first set 'bagel', fought back in the second and third sets. In the fourth set, Thiem was leading 4-2 before he was again reeled in. Thiem took the tiebreaker before Nadal took the final set decider.
Nadal later said that through the heat and humidity, and having played a nearly five-hour match, he had suffered. He commended his opponent's spirited game and said that Thiem is a great fighter.
The Spaniard will face Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro in the semifinal.
Del Potro entered the semifinals after defeating John Isner 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2.
