consecutive sets won on any surface.However Thiem showcased aggressive groundstrokes and volleys to take control of the encounter almost from the start of the match.
With Nadal serving at 3 all breakpoint in set one, Thiem won a 19 shot groundstroke rally after hitting powerful groundstrokes which forced a netted crosscourt forehand from Nadal and a 4-3 lead for Thiem..
Then serving for the set at 5-4 40-30 with a set point, Thiem struck a down the line forehand long before double faulting and hitting a crosscourt forehand long to drop serve.
Serving at 5 all, Nadal struck several uncharacteristic unforced errors including a netted overhead and a backhand down the line which landed wide to trail 15-40.
Nadal then netted a crosscourt forehand to lose serve and trail 5-6.
Serving for set one for the second time, Thiem struck a down the line forehand winner before hitting a crosscourt forehand volley winner in a serve and volley play to set up a second set point at 40-30.
The Austrian finished the set with an ace out wide and a fist pump as Nadal dropped his first clay court set in 51 sets.
In set two, Thiem took a 3-1 lead before Nadal took the following two games to level the set at 3 all.
However; more aggressive baseline tennis from Thiem sent him ahead once again 4-3 after a break of serve.
Thiem would then hold serve at love to lead 5-3.
Serving to stay in the match, Nadal led 40-0 before striking a crosscourt forehand long to reach 40-15.
The Spaniard then committed two backhand errors to reach deuce.
Thiem then struck a stunning down the line backhand winner to reach matchpoint.
A Thiem crosscourt backhand return landed long to set up a second deuce.
A final error from Nadal, a netted crosscourt backhand, sent Thiem ahead for a second match point.
The Austrian made no mistake as he struck a clutch inside out crosscourt forehand winner to break serve and close out the quarterfinal in straight sets after one hour and 56 minutes of play.
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