Dominic Thiem saved two match points and ended the first chapter of Roger Federer’s return to clay court tennis with a come-from-behind 3-6, 7-6(11), 6-4 win and reach the Madrid Open semifinals.
While Federer was heading out, there were no such problems for Rafael Nadal, the second seed, who brushed aside Stan Wawrinka 6-1, 6-2 on Friday.
Thiem prevailed in two hours 10 minutes against Federer having saved two match points in a 15-minute second set tie-break.
Five-time champion Nadal needed just over an hour to reach his 11th Madrid semi-final and will face Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, a winner over defending champion Alexander Zverev by 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.
“The match was so close,” said Austrian fifth seed Thiem.
“I was really lucky to save the match points.
“Roger was playing unbelievable on the clay. I’m very, very happy to win. He is so special, maybe the best ever in tennis, he has something different. Every time you play him, every point is a big challenge.”
The results: Men: Quarterfinals: Dominic Thiem bt Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6(11), 6-4; Stefanos Tsitsipas bt Alexander Zverev 7-5, 3-6, 6-2; Rafael Nadal bt Stan Wawrinka 6-1, 6-2.
Women: Semifinals: Kiki Bertens bt Sloane Stephens 6-2, 7-5.