TENNIS
After ‘bagel’ to Thiem, Nadal fights way back into semi
Champ prevails after losing first set in five-hour duel
Defending champion Rafa Nadal failed to win a single game in the opening set of his US Open quarterfinal against Dominic Thiem on Tuesday, but he fought back to beat the Austrian 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7(4) 7-6(5) in a match that ended after 2am on a New York morning. Nadal won 40% of his first serves in the opener as he struggled with the high humidity on Arthur Ashe Stadium court, with Thiem becoming the first player to "bagel" the Spaniard at Flushing Meadows since Andy Roddick 14 years ago. "It’s been a great battle," an exhausted Nadal said. "The conditions were tough, very humid for me." Thiem, who lost to Nadal in the French Open final but had beaten the Spaniard three times in 10 previous meetings, struck 74 winners, including 24 with his stylish single-handed backhand, to keep the champion under constant pressure. "I’m very sorry for Dominic," Nadal added. "He’s a close friend on tour, a great guy and I wish him the very best… he is young and has plenty of time to win tournaments." ...
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