French Open: Dominic Thiem vs. Rafael Nadal - twelve matches, a classic
Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal play their 13th match against each other in the final of the 2019 French Open. The Spaniard has won twice as often as the Austrian.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Jun 09, 2019, 08:13 am
Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem recently filled the dozen in Barcelona. In the semifinals, the record winner (also there) and the Austrian met, with the better end for Thiem. Who has won four matches against Nadal so far. However, not one that was held in the best-of-five format. In this regard, the eleven-time Paris champion is 4: 0 ahead, even if the recent match with a major was only decided in the tiebreak of the fifth set.
The fans got a classic back then in Flushing Meadows in late summer 2018. Thiem played for a set like from another tennis star, Nadal fought back in the usual manner, moved into the semi-finals against Juan Martin del Potro.
Thiem with less break
There is no question that the Spaniard is also the favorite on Sunday from 3 p.m. (in our live ticker). Which is also due to the game plan: Nadal played his quarter-finals on Tuesday (against Kei Nishikori) and his semi-finals on Friday (against Roger Federer). Thiem had to go to work on Thursday (against Karen Khachanov), Friday and Saturday (against Novak Djokovic). Physio Alex Stober will therefore have to put his magical hands on the 25-year-old Lichtenwörther, so that he can sprint freshly like a foal across the court in the endgame.
# BETATHOMEFO #
Thiem will have been in a good mood on Saturday evening: In the press conference after his success, he explained that he wanted to watch his German friends Andreas Mies and Kevin Krawietz in their double finals. As is well known, it went well for the surprise couple.
On the other hand: If you beat the number one in the world, Novak Djokovic, in five sets, surviving several rain breaks and comebacks from the industry leader, you can still claim to be the third man after that Djokovic and Robin Söderling, Rafael Nadal at the Stade Roland Garros.
Here are all the matches between Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal
| year | competition | winner | Result |
| 2019 | Barcelona (sand) | Dominic Thiem | 6: 4, 6: 4 |
| 2018 | US Open (hard court) | Rafael Nadal | 0: 6, 6: 4, 7: 5, 6: 7 (4), 7: 6 (5) |
| 2018 | French Open (sand) | Rafael Nadal | 6: 4, 6: 3, 6: 2 |
| 2018 | Madrid (sand) | Dominic Thiem | 7: 5, 6: 3 |
| 2018 | Monte Carlo (sand) | Rafael Nadal | 6: 0, 6: 2 |
| 2017 | French Open (sand) | Rafael Nadal | 6: 3, 6: 4, 6: 0 |
| 2017 | Rome (sand) | Dominic Thiem | 6: 4, 6: 3 |
| 2017 | Madrid (sand) | Rafael Nadal | 7: 6 (8), 6: 4 |
| 2017 | Barcelona | Rafael Nadal | 6: 4, 6: 1 |
| 2016 | Monte Carlo (sand) | Rafael Nadal | 7: 5, 6: 3 |
| 2016 | Buenos Aires (sand) | Dominic Thiem | 6: 4, 4: 6, 7: 6 (4) |
| 2014 | French Open (sand) | Rafael Nadal | 6: 2, 6: 2, 6: 3 |