‘I had luck at the right time’ – Dominic Thiem admits fortune played part after fine Rafael Nadal win

Dominic Thiem was understandably in confident mood after he knocked Rafael Nadal out of the Australian Open.

Fifth-seed Thiem got the better of the world number one, needing three tiebreaks but eventually closing out a 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-6 (8-6) win.

The win gives Thiem a frst ever Grand Slam victory over Nadal after the SPaniard has defeated him in both of the last two French Open Finals.

It also means that Nadal will surrender the world number one spot to Novak Djokovic again should the Serb successfully defend his title in Melbourne.

“All the match was on a very good level, I think we are both in great form,” said Thiem, who became only the second Austrian to make the Melbourne semis after Thomas Muster.

Thiem did get the benefit of several very kind net-chord drops at crucial times, but he was understandably in no mood to apologise for that.

He did, however, acknowledge it, saying: “Today I had the feeling I was lucky in the right situation.

“It is necessary because he is one of the greatest of all time. You need some luck to beat him.”

Dominic Thiem faces an intriguing match-up against fellow-Next Gen star Alexander Zverev in the semis, after the German saw off Stan Wawrinka in his quarter-final.

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