Argentina Open: Dominic Thiem thumps Rafael Nadal

Dominic Thiem of Austria returns to Spain’s Rafael Nadal in their ATP Argentina Open semi-final in Buenos Aires on Saturday. (Photo: AP)

Defending champion Rafael Nadal suffered another setback on Saturday when he squandered a match point before losing 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) to Austria’s Dominic Thiem in the Argentina Open semifinals.

Top seed Nadal, playing on his favourite clay surface, finally wilted in the 32-degree heat in Buenos Aires after two hours and 50 minutes on court against Thiem, the world number 19, who goes on to face Nicolas Almagro in Sunday’s final.

“It was a tough match. I had a chance to win and missed it but Thiem played well,” said Nadal, whose claycourt title total remains on 47.

“I’m not worried. I just lacked consistency and need to make fewer unforced errors, but that’s nothing.”

Nadal now heads for Rio next week where he will again be top seed and where he was champion in 2014.

He is expecting similarly gruelling conditions in the Olympic host city.

“I struggled a bit to adapt to the extreme conditions here. I felt more tired than usual. I know that in Rio de Janeiro it’s not going to be better, so I must continue to adapt,” Nadal said.

Thiem was obviously very happy after winning his match.

“I cannot believe it! I fought off a match point and managed to gain a win over one of the best clay courters. To beat such a player is insane, I will never forget that moment in my life,” Thiem said.