Rafael Nadal is considered as GOAT when it comes to playing on the red surface, so it came as no surprise when the Spaniard was deemed as top favourite to win the French Open. The former world number one has not disappointed his fans, putting up an exhilarating style of tennis, dominating matches with utmost ease en route the semi-finals, where he is set to face Dominic Thiem.
Nadal reached the semi-finals of the French Open on Thursday. He did not even have to play the full match with his opponent Pablo Carreno Busta, who retired from the quarter-finals in the second set itself due to an injury. Talking about easy victories, Nadal's road to the semi-finals has been a walk in the park.
The Spaniard's fans might have been pleased with the way Nadal has played in the competition so far, without dropping a set. There has been an air of class and dominance in his play, outclassing all players, who have come in his path of La Decima.
But, one also has to notice that Nadal has not been tested in the French Open so far, which could hurt him in the crucial phase of the competition. If one looks at his record in French Open 2017, he has just dropped 22 games without playing any top star.
Agreed, it might look brilliant, but he has had it too easy in the competition. However, the Spaniard will surely be tested in the semi-finals of the French Open, against Thiem.
The Austrian, on the other hand, has been brilliant and will be even more confident after beating Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals. Thiem will be more than determined to face Nadal after his straight sets victory.
The timing could not have been any better for Thiem, heading into this semi-finals clash. Going into a massive match against Nadal, Thiem just needed such kind of a win to warn Nadal about the incoming danger. It was not about the victory only, but the nature of the win, as Thiem knocked world number two Djokovic out in 135 minutes.
There are reasons for Nadal to fear Thiem, who has been tested, unlike the king of clay, and passed the test with flying colours in this French Open. It is not only about being tested, Thiem is the only player to have beaten Nadal on clay court this season.
Can Thiem beat Nadal and stop him from the La Decima?
